Students from University Centre St Helens’ FdA and BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance degrees took part in a vibrant and thought-provoking workshop exploring the art of clowning.
Led by internationally renowned theatre artist and mask specialist Simone Tani, the session offered a rare opportunity to delve into the world of physical comedy, improvisation, and ensemble performance. With over 20 years of experience devising, performing, and teaching across the globe, Simone brought a rich, multicultural perspective to the workshop.
Simone is the co-founder of two acclaimed theatre companies: i Bugiardini, based in Rome and known for their hit show Shhh! – a standout success at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe – and Teatro Pomodoro, a Liverpool-based company whose award-winning Cabaret From The Shadows has toured internationally to critical acclaim.
His career has taken him from Canada to Japan, Norway to New Zealand, and his training includes mentorship under legendary practitioners such as Carlo Boso, Keith Johnstone, Michael Gellman, and Mark Bell. As an educator, Simone has delivered mask play workshops at prestigious institutions including the University of Chester, National Taiwan University of Arts, and LIPA.
During the workshop, students were encouraged to embrace their playful instincts and explore the power of vulnerability on stage. Through a series of improvisational and physical exercises, they learned how to use hesitation, awkwardness, and even embarrassment as tools to connect with audiences and generate laughter.
One student reflected:
“We learned how to recreate the feeling of comedy even in dramatic work, and how to keep the audience engaged by always connecting with them.”
Simone’s passion for performance was infectious. Reflecting on his own journey, he shared:
“Being on stage is the best thing in life – nothing matches that. Training and rehearsing can be painful and annoying without the audience and adrenaline but being on stage… it’s the best decision of my life. I do it for the love of being on stage.”
We were delighted to welcome Simone to University Centre St Helens and are excited to see how this inspiring experience will shape our students’ creative development and future performances.
Interested in studying a Theatre and Performance degree? Find out more about our degrees here: University Centre St Helens – Theatre and Performance
