About our education programme – general information for schools and groups
Peepolykus have led performance workshops/classes for a wide range of participants and organisations over the last 15 years. These include:

• Professional and semi professional actors/performers
• Teachers
• Schools
• Drama Colleges
• Universities
• Circus training establishments
• Youth Theatres
• Youth/Community Centres
• Learning disability groups
• Corporate organisations
• Amateur drama groups

Outside of their own performing, writing and directing, John and Javier are experienced teachers of clown and physical theatre/comedy. They have run modules and taught summer-schools in theatres, schools, colleges, universities, circus training establishments and drama colleges (including The Circus Space, City Lit, Circomedia, Bristol University, Rose Bruford, National Theatre, BBC, International Clown Doctor organisations).

They are often invited to teach masterclasses (UK, India, South East Asia, South America) and have wide experience in directing for theatre, circus, street theatre and youth theatre.
Groups we have worked with include:

• British Council
• National Youth Theatre
• National Youth Music Theatre
• West Yorkshire Playhouse
• Pegasus Youth Theatre, Oxford
• Lyric Hammersmith
• Deaf Stories Group, Bristol
• Firebird Theatre, Bristol
• Circomedia, Centre for Circus Arts & Physical Theatre
• Circus Space
• Desperate Men
• Inspector Sands
• Tmesis Theatre
• Bristol University Drama Department
• Swindon Youth Theatre
• The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
• Interaction corporate training

Each workshop, residency or directing project is tailored to meet the specific needs/requirements of the group. We have high levels of experience in:

• Planning and teaching a full term of student work;
• Working with and directing a group from a workshop level, through to a final show/ presentation/corporate video;
• Providing high impact workshops ranging from 2 hours – 5 days;
• Collaborating and skill sharing with other practitioners.

Our teaching is inspired by a physical / impulsive approach to theatre, as opposed to a more introspective or intellectual approach. We are keen to stimulate playfulness and lightness in a performer. However, that does not mean that the process and results are always comfortable or un-emotional. Participants learn best, and gain most, when they surprise themselves. We create a supportive and buoyant atmosphere, where people are encouraged to make natural and spontaneous reactions in performance, rather than ‘safe’ or ‘prepared’ ones. It is very often the group dynamic which will determine how far this process goes. The results can be hilarious, impressive, moving and sometimes plain ridiculous. In a nutshell, the workshops are designed to be enjoyable, revealing and funny. A willingness to participate and accept is a more important pre-requisite than a wealth of performing experience.

Our teaching falls into the following categories:

• Gentle/strengthening physical warm-up exercises
• Games to activate physical and mental alertness
• Clowning (see archive below for detail)
• Comic timing
• Chorus work (group activities)
• Vocal range/projection
• Non-verbal physical expression
• Improvisation exercises
• Mask-work
• The development of eccentric characters through physical states
• Devising techniques

The workshops are led by one or sometimes two members of the company. Workshop prices vary. For more information, please email or phone Kim Lawrence, Company Manager on 0117 3670686

PAST WORKSHOPS ARCHIVE
Peepolykus workshop weekend in Windmill Hill, Bristol
Sat 19th and Sun 20th February 2011
10.30am – 5.30pm

Clown with Javier Marzan and John Nicholson, Co-Artistic Directors of Peepolykus.

This intensive two day workshop will focus on encouraging workshop participants to respond truthfully in ridiculous situations. Through games, exercises and improvisations the weekend is about being funny without trying to be funny, being moving without trying to be moving, being ridiculous without trying to be ridiculous.

Our teaching is inspired by a physical/impulsive approach to theatre, as opposed to a more introspective or intellectual approach. We are keen to stimulate playfulness and lightness in a performer. However, that does not mean that the process and results are always comfortable or un-emotional. Participants learn best, and gain most, when they surprise themselves. We create a supportive and buoyant atmosphere, where people are encouraged to make natural and spontaneous reactions in performance, rather than ‘safe’ or ‘prepared’ ones. It is very often the group dynamic which will determine how far this process goes. Above all, a willingness to participate and accept is a more important pre-requisite than a wealth of performing experience.