'...the Sincerest Form of Flattery' - an afternoon of clowning around through mirroring/imitating/copying

'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery' will be the starting point for our clowning around in this lighthearted autumn afternoon. You will explore what emerges when you play through imitating your play-mates and the things you see in the world around you. Perhaps it'll be the starting point for joyous connection and symmetry. Or perhaps you will relish in your uniqueness and the glorious impossibility of becoming the 'perfect mirror'. You might also get to play with rebellion against 'sameness' and/or desire to to join together and 'fit in'.

While exploring imitation/copying/mirroring, the clowning around you will encounter is about relaxing into who you are and playing with what you find there. You will be invited into activities involving movement and simple games and you will have a go at a kind of improvisation that involves playfully sharing your responses to what's going on around you.There will be the chance to wear a red nose and some fun hats to help to bring out the play (but there’s no squirty flowers, big shoes or scripted routines!).

With a big emphasis on the importance of looking after yourself, I will support you in being guided by your physical and emotional experiences to join in as much or as little as you want to. Group size will be limited  to twelve people to create a comfortable play space.

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to give it a go! This could be because you're curious about being creative through clowning around, because you want a chance to be silly, because you want to bring more play into your professional work or into your life, because you are a performer who is interested in exploring a different mode for being on stage, etc! There is no previous performance or clowning experience required.

I have some spaces available at a reduced rate. If cost is a barrier for you then please contact me via my website (www.clowningaroundworkshops.co.uk/contact-book).

About Iona May-zing (she/her)

I have been learning about clowning for over ten years and have been facilitating Clowning Around since 2023. I like to provide opportunities for participants to have a go at being themselves, in front of an audience, and without a plan. I am always delighted to see the stories that emerge from playfulness, as if by magic!

Clowning forms a big part of my writing practice too. My poetry collection, 'Breaking Down Loudly' (Verve Poetry Press), uses clowning to talk about grief, family, and friendship and I launched this collection by performing a one-woman show based on my poems.

In another part of my life, I have been a teacher in Primary and Secondary Schools. Here, I learnt a lot about playfulness, storytelling and providing a space where people are brave enough to 'give it a go' (and often enjoy themselves in the process!). I am currently building on these skills through completing my Clowning Facilitation Training with Nose-to-Nose.