clown course
with Conor Jatter from the RH Experience!
For years clowning has been missing from improv, but no more – clown is here to stay!
Clowning helps create joyful and playful performers. You’ll be learning to use your body in humour to play physically and create joyful theatre. You’ll also be playing with the audience and letting them guide you to increase the laughter. We’ll be playing with mime, voice, being “in the shit”, playing the flop, breaking the rules and applying the joy of Clown to improv.
Conor is one of our favourite ever improvisers and Clowns and a hilarious performer so we invited him in to impart his clowning wisdom for improvisers.
He performs with The RH Experience, one of the most popular shows at Hoopla. He has trained with the likes of UCB, Doctor Brown, and Philippe Gaulier, and performed at Soho Theatre, The Leicester Square Theatre, Alexandra Palace and many more!
Only suitable for people with previous improv or acting experience. If you haven’t got previous experience it’s best to do our beginners improv course first.
dates, time, location
Time: 7pm – 9pm.
Price: £150. Either payable all at once or with an initial payment of £75 followed by the remaining £75 once the course starts.
Teacher: Conor Jatter.
Venue: KCBC, Vernon Square, King’s Cross, London, WC1X 9EP.
Tube: King’s Cross.
teacher Conor Jatter
Conor has been performing for 10 years with his ★★★★★ improv group The RH Experience with hugely successful shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre and Hoopla.
He also co-produces RH & Friends, one of the most popular and longest running nights at Hoopla, that brings together the best in improv, sketch and clown.
RH Experience have also built up a large youtube following with regular sketches and improv online.
He has trained in improv and clown with the likes of UCB, Philippe Gaulier, Doctor Brown, Mick Barnfather and Dan Lees, and performed at Soho Theatre, The Leicester Square Theatre, Alexandra Palace and many more.
Praise for Conor’s improv group The RH Experience:
‘The RH Experience are not the pioneers of tomfoolery: they are the masters’ ★★★★★ Three Weeks
‘Truly gifted improvisers’ ★★★★★ JokePitUK
‘Their sheer amount of brainpower and comedic instinct led to hilarity’ ★★★★★ TenEightyMagazine.com
‘Colourful, witty and dynamic’ ★★★★ Mumble Comedy
‘Absurd and tear-inducingly funny’ ★★★★ Broadway Baby
‘These pioneers of tomfoolery make us laugh to the point of exhaustion’ The405″
topics
We will be teaching the following about Clown and the craft of laughter:
- Entering into the clown state.
- Stamina for staying in the clown state.
- Letting go of the “normal”.
- Releasing into physical play.
- Physical theatre skills.
- Mime.
- How to create humour with the body.
- Rhythm in performance.
- Playing with voice.
- Interacting playfully.
- Playing with each other, “le jeu”.
- Buoyant energy, “elan”.
- Being “in the shit”.
- Embracing the joy of failure.
- Playing the flop moment.
- Rules of comedy and breaking of the rules.
- The rule of 3.
- Repetition in comedy.
- Engaging warmly with the audience.
- Fun strategies for working with the audience.
- Sharing humanity with the audience.
- Following and increasing the laughter from the audience.
- Dissolving the fourth wall between performers and audience.
Most of all it’s going to be loads of fun and lots of laughter every week!
faqs
What previous experience do I need?
You should have done our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course or similar amount of improv or acting somewhere else.
Do I need any previous experience of Clown?
No, just a bit of improv or acting experience.
How often do you plan to do this course?
Probably about once a year.
Is there a show at the end?
No. We do have other improv courses with shows at the end though.
Is this scary circus clowns?
No. This is clowning for comedy theatre. It is not squirty flowers and big shoes.
What should I wear?
This is more physical than our improv courses so we suggest loose comfortable clothing and soft soled shoes, socks or barefeet.
Can I do the course if I have a disability or use a wheelchair?
Yes. Although the course is more physical than improv we are always happy to work with people to find a solution they can play with for each exercise. We have had many wheelchair users on our other courses and have always been able to work out something with the teacher. So please contact us if you have any concerns or requirements.
What if I can’t make every week?
As we’re forming a team over the course it’s best not to miss more than two sessions over the course. Please don’t book the course if you’re likely to miss more than two sessions.
What if I’m running late?
We’ll be starting each session at 7pm. Please don’t book this course if you are likely to be late on a regular basis.
What’s the class size?
The group size is going to be limited to 16 people - small enough that you get lots and lots of practice and stage time, but big enough that there’s still a lively atmosphere in the workshop. It’ll be fun as we get to know each other and build a team together.
Can I pay by instalments?
Yes. Please see pricing info at the top of the page.