Tomfoolery
Philosophy:
Drawing on our knowledge of Commedia and Clowning, we create a space in which students can be stupid. Indeed we offer the chance to relish that stupidity through playing with extremes of body movement, sounds, and general idiocy.
The freeing of the students into Tomfoolery has a beneficial effect on all their theatre work, as it both takes away general self consciousness, and helps them to see their work space as a safe place in which they can express their most idiotic selves.
We approach the Foolery from the aspects of the mask. The mask is an anti-inhibitor, allowing students to hide behind it, and thus freeing them from the social controls that society has placed on them.
This freedom is only gained by the holding of the mask space as a 'safe' place by the teacher. It is a hugely creative space when approached correctly, and often releases students from self imposed restrictions in their work .
Praxis:
We approach the work through games and play. Not just at the start of the work, but running through the workshops like veins.
We conduct various exercises to help the students discover the joy of extreme physicality and extreme energy, drawing on and developing exercises from Commedia Dell 'Arte and Clowning techniques.
Developing pieces to show is an important part of the work. Our Fools are masks, and masks want to play in front of people. The workshops develop this aspect so that students get increasingly comfortable creating and showing their work.
When work has been shown, it is then given positive direction, re-worked quickly, and shown again. This teaches the students the art of self-direction, and how to perfect their own work.
Drawing on our knowledge of Commedia and Clowning, we create a space in which students can be stupid. Indeed we offer the chance to relish that stupidity through playing with extremes of body movement, sounds, and general idiocy.
The freeing of the students into Tomfoolery has a beneficial effect on all their theatre work, as it both takes away general self consciousness, and helps them to see their work space as a safe place in which they can express their most idiotic selves.
We approach the Foolery from the aspects of the mask. The mask is an anti-inhibitor, allowing students to hide behind it, and thus freeing them from the social controls that society has placed on them.
This freedom is only gained by the holding of the mask space as a 'safe' place by the teacher. It is a hugely creative space when approached correctly, and often releases students from self imposed restrictions in their work .
Praxis:
We approach the work through games and play. Not just at the start of the work, but running through the workshops like veins.
We conduct various exercises to help the students discover the joy of extreme physicality and extreme energy, drawing on and developing exercises from Commedia Dell 'Arte and Clowning techniques.
Developing pieces to show is an important part of the work. Our Fools are masks, and masks want to play in front of people. The workshops develop this aspect so that students get increasingly comfortable creating and showing their work.
When work has been shown, it is then given positive direction, re-worked quickly, and shown again. This teaches the students the art of self-direction, and how to perfect their own work.