Saturday 6th December 10.30 - 4.30
About the Workshop
Master the core principles of farce, from precise comic timing to physical humour and exaggerated characters. This practical, participatory workshop introduces you to the chaotic, high-octane world of mistaken identities and absurd situations, showing you how to bring these elements to the stage with skill and confidence.
Drawing from the tradition of scripted farce – from Molière to Dario Fo – this workshop uses games and exercises to cover:
Stock Types & Exaggeration: Learn to embody the classic farce archetypes, such as the Flouncing Fop and the Scheming Servant. We'll move beyond caricature to find the human truth within their absurdity, developing the precision needed to make every gesture and look serve the comedy.
Physicality & Timing: Master classic comic stage business, from a perfectly timed pratfall to the expressive silence of a comic double-take. Learn to control a scene’s tempo and rhythm, building tension and knowing exactly when to employ a pause for the biggest laugh.
Props & Stagecraft: Discover how the stage itself is a source of comedy and how to turn a simple prop into a comedic tool.
Key Take Aways:
For Performers
Master classic comic skills and timing with physical precision
Learn to manipulate tempo and tension to control audience responses
Embody farce archetypes with truth, not just caricature
For Teachers and Directors
A practical toolkit of exercises to extend students’ range, skills and capacity to explore the heightened, exaggerated style of farce
Ways into slapstick and controlled chaos with safety and precision
Practical ways into texts such Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Servant of Two Masters, One Man Two Guvnors and Max Frisch’s The Arsonist.
⚠️ Warning: This course may result in uncontrollable giggling and sudden urges to pratfall.
About Cheryl Stapleton
Cheryl Stapleton is a performer, director, and teacher with over 30 years’ experience. She founded Learning Through Theatre™ primarily to provide theatre workshops, specialising in commedia dell’arte, expressionism and physical theatre. Cheryl trained in drama at Brunel University, studied physical theatre, mask, and mime at École Philippe Gaulier, and furthered her commedia practice with Antonio Fava and John Rudlin. She also worked with Michael Chase to develop her skills in mask-making. Cheryl teaches theatre skills internationally in schools, drama schools and universities. She is also an artist with ISTA (International School Theatre Association) and delivers private and corporate voice and presentation coaching.
Saturday 6th December 10.30 - 4.30
About the Workshop
Master the core principles of farce, from precise comic timing to physical humour and exaggerated characters. This practical, participatory workshop introduces you to the chaotic, high-octane world of mistaken identities and absurd situations, showing you how to bring these elements to the stage with skill and confidence.
Drawing from the tradition of scripted farce – from Molière to Dario Fo – this workshop uses games and exercises to cover:
Stock Types & Exaggeration: Learn to embody the classic farce archetypes, such as the Flouncing Fop and the Scheming Servant. We'll move beyond caricature to find the human truth within their absurdity, developing the precision needed to make every gesture and look serve the comedy.
Physicality & Timing: Master classic comic stage business, from a perfectly timed pratfall to the expressive silence of a comic double-take. Learn to control a scene’s tempo and rhythm, building tension and knowing exactly when to employ a pause for the biggest laugh.
Props & Stagecraft: Discover how the stage itself is a source of comedy and how to turn a simple prop into a comedic tool.
Key Take Aways:
For Performers
Master classic comic skills and timing with physical precision
Learn to manipulate tempo and tension to control audience responses
Embody farce archetypes with truth, not just caricature
For Teachers and Directors
A practical toolkit of exercises to extend students’ range, skills and capacity to explore the heightened, exaggerated style of farce
Ways into slapstick and controlled chaos with safety and precision
Practical ways into texts such Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Servant of Two Masters, One Man Two Guvnors and Max Frisch’s The Arsonist.
⚠️ Warning: This course may result in uncontrollable giggling and sudden urges to pratfall.
About Cheryl Stapleton
Cheryl Stapleton is a performer, director, and teacher with over 30 years’ experience. She founded Learning Through Theatre™ primarily to provide theatre workshops, specialising in commedia dell’arte, expressionism and physical theatre. Cheryl trained in drama at Brunel University, studied physical theatre, mask, and mime at École Philippe Gaulier, and furthered her commedia practice with Antonio Fava and John Rudlin. She also worked with Michael Chase to develop her skills in mask-making. Cheryl teaches theatre skills internationally in schools, drama schools and universities. She is also an artist with ISTA (International School Theatre Association) and delivers private and corporate voice and presentation coaching.
