Photos above: Robert Piwko, Tiff Wear, PL. Colour sketch: Tracey Tofiled. Colour illustration E. M. Parry.
'I am so amazed by what you offer in your workshops!'
‘I did the online Commedia dell’Arte course a couple of years ago and an in person 'Clown and Shakespeare' workshop with Peta a few weeks ago. Transformative and incredibly useful, I massively recommend it :).’
‘I still think about the Dark Clown weekend all the time. Powerful, silly, brilliant stuff from a true master.’
'Highly recommended work for all artists and many humans. Honestly. Especially in these dark, difficult times. Liberating work. Grow your skills and awareness on and off stage. Expertly led workshops by Peta Lily.' - JDK
'I am so amazed by what you offer in your workshops!'
‘I did the online Commedia dell’Arte course a couple of years ago and an in person 'Clown and Shakespeare' workshop with Peta a few weeks ago. Transformative and incredibly useful, I massively recommend it :).’
‘I still think about the Dark Clown weekend all the time. Powerful, silly, brilliant stuff from a true master.’
'Highly recommended work for all artists and many humans. Honestly. Especially in these dark, difficult times. Liberating work. Grow your skills and awareness on and off stage. Expertly led workshops by Peta Lily.' - JDK
Good news for UK folk outside London, and for people in Europe, USA and Canada. CLOWN & DARK CLOWN course ONLINE 22, 23, 24 & 25 May 2026 6pm - 8.30pm UK time (BST) – check your local time! Early Bird Deadline is 30 April ‘Fabulous journey, discovering emotion, comedy and more.' - Course Participant 'Important, brave and powerful work.' - Lexi Strauss, Artist, Performer, Fine Art Lecturer Click 'view in browser' to see the image. The ONLINE C&DC course - Fri 22 - Mon 25 May daily is open to people with some clown experience (a workshop in clown is fine). NEW! Peer review of the Dark Clown work @TotalTheatreMag on IG 'Incredibly transformative, inspiring and jam-packed with technical gems to build on my clown stage presence.’ - Alice, Art Therapist and Movement Facilitator C&DC is the course where you learn Dark Clown at the first level. In Clown mode we connect with play and expression and learn the comedy craft that supports the Dark Side Play. You learn the aims, principles and ethos of the work (as well as laugh a lot). Dark Clown gives possibility to portray darker emotions and themes ... plus it develops emotional range, timing and increases your audience awareness. Dark Clown Scenarios include: Competition Crying, Horror Is, Eco Horror, Body Horror, The Beloved, Consumer Guilt, For Her, Makeup Rabbits and more ... ‘Something so juicy about applying the principles of comedy to areas of our lives that we keep hidden in the dark - something is released that is at the heart of being a human which is so often glossed over.’ - Elise Ford, Physical Theatre Performer Watch the Dark Clown video BOOK OR SEE MORE DETAILS WHEN: Fri 22, Sat 23, Sun 24 and Mon 25 May two and a half hours daily 6 - 8.30pm UK time (BST) check your local time !! WHERE: in the beautiful global classroom ONLINE by Zoom 'Best Zoom course - I forgot I wasn't in a room!' - Course Participant ‘This course is a real treat – and to achieve that on Zoom - well done! To have the steps and exercises introduced so beautifully has given me some fantastic building blocks.’ - Course Participant COST: C&DC course: £219 - Please note this course often sells out. Attention C&DC graduates! Special price for those repeating the course just £149 BOOK OR SEE MORE DETAILS 'Gave me the courage to engage with my clown state, and to use the skills it employs to step into darker, more complex comedy/drama territory.’ - Zoe Bouras, Theatre Maker ‘Gives insights into dealing with serious and occasionally disturbing subjects – and delivering with humour.' - Course Participant 'Dark Clown showed me how to find the comic rhythm in tragic feelings. The course gave me a lot of new tools for my professional work as an actress.' - Sandra Lange, Actress How Dark Clown works: The skills of comedy craft can be employed to bring laughter to challenging subjects. Lily's Dark Clown work retains respect for the subject matter and provides a user-friendly way to represent Marginalised Emotions - creating an intriguing and enriching experience for performer and audience alike. Lily's unique approach makes widening the range of the clown's expression both safe and invigorating. Read the FAQ's. Photography by Robert Piwko. |
Exciting & joyful Commedia dell'Arte course 6 & 7 June 2026 10am - 5pm UK time (BST) Early Bird until 19 May IN PERSON Commedia dell'Arte course 10am - 5.00pm Sat 6 & Sun 6 June Early Bird Rate available Add verve to your character creations! Stretch your devising play! Get in touch with your own gloriously flawed humanity! Learn by doing and watching others play! Discover and enjoy playing these vibrant, enduring characters: the irrepressible and joyous Arlecchino (Harlequin) the incorrigible Pulcinella (ancestor of Punch from Punch & Judy) the crotchety Pantalone the flamboyant, cowardly Capitano the pedantic charlatan - Il Dottore the hapless Zanni the well-dodgy Brighella the unpredictable Witch and Colombina, the clever servant. This course is open to beginners ... as well as those with workshop or performing experience 'I love Peta Lily’s teaching so much - attentive and caring and very generous with her knowledge. I felt safe to take risks I never would have before! - Theatre Maker ' Absolutely joyous. A wonderful introduction to the Commedia characters.' – Emma Webb, Movement Director Commedia Dell'Arte was a tremendously popular and enduring theatre form which originated in Italy and spread its influences through France and into England, informing characters in plays by Goldoni, Moliere, Shakespeare and in TV sitcoms and more! These audacious archetypal characters still have the power to thrill audiences and empower players today. On the course: have fun as you grow confidence, ignite imagination, open up playing range and extend physical and vocal expression. There will be physical and vocal warm-ups, play tasks and imaginative immersion. You'll be guided into the rhythms, obsessions and perspectives of each of the characters so you can Improvise with physicality, text or Gramelot (nonsense language) and explore some character interaction. When you join the course you'll be sent a handy overview of each of the characters and their relationships. BOOK OR SEE MORE DETAILS WHEN: Saturday 6th June 10 - 5 pm Sunday 7th June 10 - 5pm WHERE: BOLD - 21 St George's Rd, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6ES COST: COST: £219 OR catch the Early Bird! Book by 19 May and save £50 Early Bird Price just £169 BOOK NOW or ask a question 'So much good energy in her teaching - nurturing, supportive, mischievous and playful. You feel safe to throw yourself in the deep end.' – Nina, Course Participant 'Inspirational teaching in expert hands.' - Keith Barlow, Head of Movement, Dance & Physical Theatre, Birmingham School of Acting 'A wonderful, playful workshop. A safe and challenging environment to play and discover.' – Sinéad O’Keeffe About the Workshop leader: Peta Lily is a director, performer, theatre maker and teacher who uses physical theatre and acting techniques to direct plays and devise theatre pieces in the UK and overseas. She was one of the leading artists of the Physical Theatre movement in the 80’s/90’s and has a long career as a solo performer. She also works as a movement director and teaches at RADA and RCSSD. Contributor to ‘Mime into Physical Theatre: A UK Cultural History 1970–2000’ complied by Mark Evans and Simon Murray, Routledge. Contributor to ‘Notes on Creation’ – a resource book on Devising compiled by Oli Pinchbeck and Declan Mee of Katapult, Berlin, supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste. |
Illustration by Charlotte Biszewski
How Dark Clown works: Comedy craft can be employed to bring laughter to challenging subjects. Lily's Dark Clown work retains respect for the subject matter and creates intriguing and enriching experiences for performer and audience alike. Lily's unique approach makes widening the range of the clown's expression both safe and invigorating. Read more on the blog: www.petalily.com/clown-dark-clown-theatre-practice-blog
WATCH: ‘Peta Lily’s Dark Clown; Taking Laughter to the Limits' - Made by remarkable photographer and documentary filmmaker Robert Golden, the film traces the steps of Peta Lily taking a group on the Clown & Dark Clown Course journey, extending the possibilities of Clown work beyond the Red Nose Clown style as taught by Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq. Through practical explorations over the last 40 plus years, she has built a unique approach to generating laughter from a darker context. View it HERE.
NEW: Read the Peer Review by Kunal Rajput of Peta Lily’s Dark Clown work. Special thanks to @TotalTheatreMag.
Dark Clown is Lily's unique body of work. Starting in 1980, she has founded an exciting new genre of Clown - ethics, methodology and pedagogy. Her paper The Comedy of Terrors – Dark Clown & Enforced Performance was delivered at the Bath Spa University and her Dark Clown work is cited in Jon Davison’s Clown (Readings in Theatre Practice) - Palgrave MacMillan 2013. You can also watch these short, sweet videos on Lily's Clown and Dark Clown work made by Nick Cowell.
WATCH: ‘Peta Lily’s Dark Clown; Taking Laughter to the Limits' - Made by remarkable photographer and documentary filmmaker Robert Golden, the film traces the steps of Peta Lily taking a group on the Clown & Dark Clown Course journey, extending the possibilities of Clown work beyond the Red Nose Clown style as taught by Philippe Gaulier and Jacques Lecoq. Through practical explorations over the last 40 plus years, she has built a unique approach to generating laughter from a darker context. View it HERE.
NEW: Read the Peer Review by Kunal Rajput of Peta Lily’s Dark Clown work. Special thanks to @TotalTheatreMag.
Dark Clown is Lily's unique body of work. Starting in 1980, she has founded an exciting new genre of Clown - ethics, methodology and pedagogy. Her paper The Comedy of Terrors – Dark Clown & Enforced Performance was delivered at the Bath Spa University and her Dark Clown work is cited in Jon Davison’s Clown (Readings in Theatre Practice) - Palgrave MacMillan 2013. You can also watch these short, sweet videos on Lily's Clown and Dark Clown work made by Nick Cowell.
Watch the video of 'Strange Forces' - Dark Clown inspired circus show
‘Peta Lily directed show at Circus Space last night was terrific. Clowns like wounded refugees from a post-apocalyptic Beckett play.’ - Lyn Gardner
‘One of my favourite circus shows ever – dark, magical, funny and so imaginative.’ – Michael Standen
Watch the video of 'Strange Forces' - Dark Clown inspired circus show
‘Peta Lily directed show at Circus Space last night was terrific. Clowns like wounded refugees from a post-apocalyptic Beckett play.’ - Lyn Gardner
‘One of my favourite circus shows ever – dark, magical, funny and so imaginative.’ – Michael Standen
OTHER COURSES:
Courses available either ONLINE or IN-PERSON include:
Alchemy of Archetypes; Alchemy of the Elements (Earth Air Fire Water); Commedia dell'Arte ('Bare-faced Commedia' when ONLINE); Mask & Movement (with 'neutral' masks); Mime & Physical Expression; Bill's Idiots (Shakespeare and Clown); Comedy Toolbox; Red Nose Clown; Clown & Archetypes.
PLUS Peta Lily's unique Clown & Dark Clown course and Dark Clown Level Two course (for graduates of Clown & Dark Clown).
Stay tuned for new courses:
Melodrama; Sad & Tragic Clown.
Courses available either ONLINE or IN-PERSON include:
Alchemy of Archetypes; Alchemy of the Elements (Earth Air Fire Water); Commedia dell'Arte ('Bare-faced Commedia' when ONLINE); Mask & Movement (with 'neutral' masks); Mime & Physical Expression; Bill's Idiots (Shakespeare and Clown); Comedy Toolbox; Red Nose Clown; Clown & Archetypes.
PLUS Peta Lily's unique Clown & Dark Clown course and Dark Clown Level Two course (for graduates of Clown & Dark Clown).
Stay tuned for new courses:
Melodrama; Sad & Tragic Clown.
Peta Lily works as a Director, Acting Coach, Creative Mentor in online 121's - use the contact form below or go here.
ONLINE CREATIVE 121’S
'I left the session buzzing and feeling THIS IS POSSIBLE! Peta is an effervescent and supportive mine of wisdom, creativity and knowledge. Thoroughly recommended.’ - Lexi Strauss Artist and Performer
'My favourite call this quarantine. Hugely inspired and in-spirit-ed.' - Ian Sellars, Theatre Explorer (121 introduction to Clown)
I worked with Peta developing script fragments. She really knows how to build a piece, a theatre maker through and through!'
- Karola Gajda Writer and Theatre Maker
DIRECTING / DRAMATURGY / ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
'I cannot recommend Peta Lily highly enough - a brilliant dramaturg and mentor. She is sensitive to existing practice whilst questioning old habits to provoke bolder choices and deeper connection. We worked with her for just five days on La Poule and it was amazing.' - Sarah-Louise Young won The Stage Edinburgh Award 2016 Edinburgh directed by Peta Lily in 'La Poule Plombée/Je Regret'
‘I found the work liberating, wonderful fun and insightful ... so much to learn from her.’ - Shelley O’Brien, Mad Alice Theatre
'Her knowledge, understanding and experience within her craft is unprecedented.' - Stumbletrip Theatre Company
CREATIVE MENTOR / SCRIPT DOCTOR / SHOW DEVELOPMENT
‘In only two days, her advice, eye for details and sense of comedic timing took the work to a whole new level. Her experience and good spirit made it incredibly easy and intuitive to work together.’ - Sandrine Monin
‘Peta Lily is an incredible coach. I feel really privileged to have worked with her. Highly recommended.' - Fiona Coffey, Cabaret Artist 'A Touch of Mrs Robinson'
‘Thanks to Peta Lily for nipping and tucking the script and adding some absolutely hilarious moments.’ – Eva von Schnippisch, award-winning Cabaret Performer
ACTING COACHING / AUDITION COACHING
‘Detailed, astute coaching – helpful and uplifting.’ – Cindy-Jane Armbruster, Actor
Inhouse Workshops & Master Classes
'A unique and rewarding experience - lots of the exercises really resonated and connected with me. I found it all very inspiring and I'm grateful for what you've taught.' - Student
'I really enjoyed the session. It was great seeing the pupils so engaged! Thank you very much for giving them a memorable and valuable workshop' - Whitgift School
Groups and companies need special skills for different projects. You might need movement, mime or comedy skills, or ways to physicalise characters. Some companies request Dark Clown consulting to stretch performers and add edge to a new production.
Courses can be designed specifically to suit groups - full information available - course themes include: Comedy Toolbox ● Emotional Zones and Character Creation ● Clown ● Clown & Dark Clown ● Mime ● You're On! - a course on turning your Life into Theatre (writing and performance) ● Comedy & Confidence ● Embodied Voice ● Alchemy of Archetypes (with or without masks) ● Commedia dell'Arte
Experience plus a wide ranging background - Lily has taught at many leading Drama schools and at Ecole Phillippe Gaulier in London. She regularly teaches at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and RADA. She has trained with Jacques Le Coq, Philippe Gaulier, Monika Pagneux, Theatre du Mouvement, Yoshi Oida, Carlo Boso (Commedia dell'Arte), Sankai Juku (Butoh Dance), Alvin Ailey School, NY, Master Yeung Kim Wah (Cantonese Opera) and Mike Alfreds (Theatre Direction). She also brings processes and insights from the liberating and integrating work of Dina Glouberman and Arnold Mindell.
Inspirational – the work and your whole approach to it. - Tony Casement Assistant Creative Director, Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Remarkable work - creative, inspiring, challenging and satisfying. - Graeme du Fresne, Summer School Director
She speaks the language of devising, focusing on character, honesty and audience connection. We whole-heartedly recommend her. - Amelia Bird Artistic Director, Gomito Productions
Versatile and skilful, bringing great character and movement out of the performers both individually and as an ensemble. - Writer and Theatre Director Debbie Oates
Course participants report Lily's clown work teaching to be 'empowering' with 'the right amount of support and challenge':
Dark Clown has helped me develop a balanced rounded clown character that has real depth. I already feel it has helped me free up my emotional range as a performer! - Ella Golt, Artist
Demystifying comedy and explaining all the rules – very empowering. - Stewart Pemberton Circus Performer and Tap Dancer
ONLINE CREATIVE 121’S
'I left the session buzzing and feeling THIS IS POSSIBLE! Peta is an effervescent and supportive mine of wisdom, creativity and knowledge. Thoroughly recommended.’ - Lexi Strauss Artist and Performer
'My favourite call this quarantine. Hugely inspired and in-spirit-ed.' - Ian Sellars, Theatre Explorer (121 introduction to Clown)
I worked with Peta developing script fragments. She really knows how to build a piece, a theatre maker through and through!'
- Karola Gajda Writer and Theatre Maker
DIRECTING / DRAMATURGY / ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
'I cannot recommend Peta Lily highly enough - a brilliant dramaturg and mentor. She is sensitive to existing practice whilst questioning old habits to provoke bolder choices and deeper connection. We worked with her for just five days on La Poule and it was amazing.' - Sarah-Louise Young won The Stage Edinburgh Award 2016 Edinburgh directed by Peta Lily in 'La Poule Plombée/Je Regret'
‘I found the work liberating, wonderful fun and insightful ... so much to learn from her.’ - Shelley O’Brien, Mad Alice Theatre
'Her knowledge, understanding and experience within her craft is unprecedented.' - Stumbletrip Theatre Company
CREATIVE MENTOR / SCRIPT DOCTOR / SHOW DEVELOPMENT
‘In only two days, her advice, eye for details and sense of comedic timing took the work to a whole new level. Her experience and good spirit made it incredibly easy and intuitive to work together.’ - Sandrine Monin
‘Peta Lily is an incredible coach. I feel really privileged to have worked with her. Highly recommended.' - Fiona Coffey, Cabaret Artist 'A Touch of Mrs Robinson'
‘Thanks to Peta Lily for nipping and tucking the script and adding some absolutely hilarious moments.’ – Eva von Schnippisch, award-winning Cabaret Performer
ACTING COACHING / AUDITION COACHING
‘Detailed, astute coaching – helpful and uplifting.’ – Cindy-Jane Armbruster, Actor
Inhouse Workshops & Master Classes
'A unique and rewarding experience - lots of the exercises really resonated and connected with me. I found it all very inspiring and I'm grateful for what you've taught.' - Student
'I really enjoyed the session. It was great seeing the pupils so engaged! Thank you very much for giving them a memorable and valuable workshop' - Whitgift School
Groups and companies need special skills for different projects. You might need movement, mime or comedy skills, or ways to physicalise characters. Some companies request Dark Clown consulting to stretch performers and add edge to a new production.
Courses can be designed specifically to suit groups - full information available - course themes include: Comedy Toolbox ● Emotional Zones and Character Creation ● Clown ● Clown & Dark Clown ● Mime ● You're On! - a course on turning your Life into Theatre (writing and performance) ● Comedy & Confidence ● Embodied Voice ● Alchemy of Archetypes (with or without masks) ● Commedia dell'Arte
Experience plus a wide ranging background - Lily has taught at many leading Drama schools and at Ecole Phillippe Gaulier in London. She regularly teaches at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and RADA. She has trained with Jacques Le Coq, Philippe Gaulier, Monika Pagneux, Theatre du Mouvement, Yoshi Oida, Carlo Boso (Commedia dell'Arte), Sankai Juku (Butoh Dance), Alvin Ailey School, NY, Master Yeung Kim Wah (Cantonese Opera) and Mike Alfreds (Theatre Direction). She also brings processes and insights from the liberating and integrating work of Dina Glouberman and Arnold Mindell.
Inspirational – the work and your whole approach to it. - Tony Casement Assistant Creative Director, Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Remarkable work - creative, inspiring, challenging and satisfying. - Graeme du Fresne, Summer School Director
She speaks the language of devising, focusing on character, honesty and audience connection. We whole-heartedly recommend her. - Amelia Bird Artistic Director, Gomito Productions
Versatile and skilful, bringing great character and movement out of the performers both individually and as an ensemble. - Writer and Theatre Director Debbie Oates
Course participants report Lily's clown work teaching to be 'empowering' with 'the right amount of support and challenge':
Dark Clown has helped me develop a balanced rounded clown character that has real depth. I already feel it has helped me free up my emotional range as a performer! - Ella Golt, Artist
Demystifying comedy and explaining all the rules – very empowering. - Stewart Pemberton Circus Performer and Tap Dancer
Lily teaches workshops and master classes in-person and online
‘a phenomenal teacher…skilled like you wouldn't believe…an exhilarating experience…’
Regular open courses include: Clown & Dark Clown; Dark Clown Level Two (available to graduates of the 2-day Clown & Dark Clown course); Take your Clown / Act / Idea Further; Comedy Toolbox and
The Alchemy of Archetypes (working with half mask and 9 archetypes) and Commedia dell'Arte.
To hire a workshop leader (for the future) go here.
‘a phenomenal teacher…skilled like you wouldn't believe…an exhilarating experience…’
Regular open courses include: Clown & Dark Clown; Dark Clown Level Two (available to graduates of the 2-day Clown & Dark Clown course); Take your Clown / Act / Idea Further; Comedy Toolbox and
The Alchemy of Archetypes (working with half mask and 9 archetypes) and Commedia dell'Arte.
To hire a workshop leader (for the future) go here.
