Clown & Slapstick Comedy
a 2 day course with Joe Dieffenbacher
Expand your performance toolkit with slapstick comedy - from trips and falls to subtle prop play, turn accidents into artistry and laughs!
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When you mention the word slapstick, most people think it’s an abusive form of comedy where clowns slap, punch and kick each other, throw pies in someone’s face, or get hit with boards.
In essence, slapstick is how the human body responds to the real world in comic ways. This can include hits and falls, slaps and pies, but also more subtle slapstick where the clown plays with props, clothes, furniture, sounds, colours, shapes. It includes everything from the knockabout and anarchy of the Three Stooges and the Young Ones, the classic physical comedy of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, the visual and verbal slapstick of Monty Python, the mad invention of the set designers for Mischief Theatre and the ‘Goes Wrong’ shows, and the more subtle prop play of Jacques Tati. Slapstick is a form of dance. It’s a way of moving off the beat. It searches for eccentric ways of interacting with the world, it welcomes mistakes and revels in awkwardness and ineptitude. We’ll use this capricious way of moving through the world to discover new ideas for physical and visual play, and how to use slapstick to develop comic scenes and characters. WHAT WILL THE COURSE INCLUDE?
"I feel like I'm walking away from his class with greater body awareness. He brought a disciplined and regimented feeling to the class but never lost the sense of play and fun. He gave me physical confidence by putting my sense of balance, strength and flexibility to the test."
Student, ACT San Francisco WHO IS THIS FOR:
Actors, Clowns, Comedians, Entertainers, Dancers, Improv Artists, Street Performers, Puppeteers, Mimes, Cabaret Artists, Teachers, Adults who want to encourage their inner kid and playfulness and Curious People. WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT JOE'S WORK
"Joe is an amazing, compassionate and unbelievably knowledgeable teacher. He knows how to lead you to a gate and give you the tools so you can learn to open the gate yourself. He is encouraging and loving, but will not accept less than your best. His eye for precision, play and comedy have shown me the world of clown in a beautiful light." Allison Daniel, Puppeteer, Teacher, Acrobat "Everyday in Joe's Physical Theatre class was a challenge. Joe always pushed us to get past the obvious and dig deeper into ourselves. Offer this guy a job as a full-time professor. He’s brilliant!" Student, Coastal Carolina University "Joe has taught me how to open up, play, mess with the world and let it mess with me. I will never be the same after this class and that's a wonderful feeling." Rebekah Cavinder, Ringling Clown and Performing Artist |
How it works
★ Dates & times: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th October 10am - 5pm ★ Venue: St Werburghs, Bristol ★ Investment: £200 - Supporter/ High earner £180 - Full Price £160 - Concession (low/no income, student) EARLYBIRD DEAL: £150 if you pay before 20 September "CLOWN AND..." WORKSHOP BUNDLE All 4 workshops - £420 (save £120) BOOKING: Email [email protected] to book a place If you’re not sure if your level of experience would support you to join this workshop, please email us and we will be happy to help identify if the workshop is right for you. 
Welcome to our Clown and… series – where clowning meets other creative forms! Discover new dimensions of your creative practice by exploring the intersection of clowning with different artistic disciplines. How does the spontaneity, playfulness, and vulnerability of clown transform other modalities and vice versa? Through this series, you’ll:
Check out the full series: Saturday 27 September Clown & Improv 1-day workshop with Holly Meechan Sunday 28 September Clown & Puppetry 1-day workshop with Katie Tranter Sat 18 & Sun 19 October Clown & Slapstick Comedy 2-day workshop with Joe Dieffenbacher Sat 6 & Sun 7 December Clown & Archetypes 2-day workshop with Peta Lily |
