Introduction to Funny with Spymonkey
About this Event
About the workshop
This one day workshop is an introduction to the key concepts at the heart of Spymonkey’s Theatre of the Funny .
Spymonkey believes that everyone can be funny in their own unique way, and that the best theatre is one that embraces this quality in its artists. With the emphasis on supporting a space that is accessible, supportive and safe for all to laugh, we will use our favourite games and exercises as practical illustrations, to create belly-laughter – improv exercises (the sometimes scary pleasure of saying ‘yes’ to the unknown), explore practical concepts such as ‘finding the game’, the importance of complicity, or fixed point, of playing together with our friends, and of sharing that particular quality of Funny that you and only you can be.
Spymonkey has taught these workshops all over the world for 30 years and are still amazed how much fun can be had by a brand new group of people, as long as they come ready to laugh and equipped with a sense of humour about themselves and others.
About Spymonkey
“The greatest clowns in British theatre today” Time Out
“The remarkable Spymonkey - headlong absurdism and physical brilliance”
The Times
Since their founding in 1998 Spymonkey have created some of the most outstandingly original comedy theatre, including STIFF, COOPED, MOBY DICK, OEDIPUSSY, THE COMPLETE DEATHS, CHRISTMAS CAROL, HAIRY and THE FROGS.
TV and stage appearances have seen them work alongside Sacha Baron Cohen, Naomi Campbell, Miranda Hart, Sandi Toksvig, Ronnie Corbett, Fiona Shaw and Nick Frost.
Widely acknowledged as world leaders in the fields of Clown and Physical Comedy, they are keenly sought as teachers, consultants and directors for their insight and experience in creating brilliant, original and singular work, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and the Vienna Volksoper. Their programme of professional training sees them teaching around the world, with regular visits to New York, Los Angeles, Bilbao and London.
About Toby Park
Toby is Managing artistic director & musical director of Spymonkey. He has managed and performed with Spymonkey from its conception in 1998, and has created music for all it’s shows. Toby’s physical comedy direction for theatre includes Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium with Imelda Staunton; Mack & Mabel for Chichester Festival Theatre; Jack Absolute Flies Again and Tartuffe at the National Theatre; The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Co-direction includes Enter the Dragons for A&E Comedy; and The Flop for Hijinx. Opera as co-director, composer and librettist includes Fabulous Backstrom Brothers and Big Bang Siegfried. Composing and musical direction includes Karl’s Kühne Gassenschau, Improbable, Guy Dartnell, Mimbre, Adventures in Moominvalley, The Electric Forest for National Trust.
Aitor and Toby directed their first full scale opera, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, at the Vienna Volksoper in 2023, which has enjoyed sell-out revivals in 2024 and 2025. Their newest creation, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, opens at the Volksoper in March 2026.
He teaches physical comedy, clown and music workshops around the world, including the National Theatre Connections programme.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 50.00 to GBP 60.00
