PAST EVENTS
2025
THE GREENHOUSE OF BOUFFONS
A showcase of Bouffon Folly
Saturday, September 6th at 7:30 pm
Boulder Circus Center
4747 26th St, Boulder, CO
80301 USA
Welcome to the last act of a one-week DEVISING RESIDENCY led by Giovanni Fusetti.
A group of performers who have already trained in the style of Bouffons and Grotesque Theatre during the last two Bouffon Intensives in Boulder (2022 & 2024), has returned to work on the devising of Four Bouffons Pieces. Each piece contains a vision of a Bouffon Show, with the ambition of developing into a longer theatre performance.
The word Bouffon has its roots in a latin verb: buffare, to puff, to fill the cheeks with air. It seems to be a very old practice of humans. To deform oneself, to swell in order to mimic our fellow humans, and to provoke laughter. In fact, bouffons are direct descendants of the Satyrs of ancient greek Satyric Drama.
The actual word Bouffons comes from the French bouffon, and it entered the English theatrical language through the work of Jacques Lecoq.
The essence of Bouffon is to mock: it’s a specific role, existing in all human societies. Bouffons represent elements of the society in an amplified, exaggerated, ecstatic way, therefore provoking laughter and outrage. Their essence is in being an amplified mirror of the society, revealing its complexity, its contradictions, its shadows, and, ultimately, its underlying folly, made of an ever-shifting combination of the many facets of the human condition .
The duration of the evening will be approximately one and a half hour, with a brief intermission.
Entrance is free and a donation at the door will be welcome. All donations will go to the cast and will be shared as a funding towards the development of the four shows.
You can also send donations via credit card using this link.
The performance will contain adult language, explicit sexual material, and provocative subjects, so it is not suitable for a young audience.
Given the limited seats available, it is necessary to reserve your place by email, writing to giovanni.fusetti@helikos.com
Thanks
You can find further details about the training on this page:
https://giovannifusetti.com/the-greenhouse-of-bouffons-boulder/
See you in the Land of Bouffons !
1 Luglio, 2025
Nova Gorica, Slovenia
ore 19:00, Borov Gozdiček, Grčna, 5000
BENVENUTI IN SLOTALIA
Un spettacolo di Teatro di Narrazione
di e con
Alenka Marinic e Giovanni Fusetti
Benvenuti in Siotalia è uno spettacolo comico sulla storia delle terre e della gente che vive al confine tra Slovenia e Italia. Una serata piena di fatti storici, umorismo, canzoni, personaggi folli e un inaspettato colpo di scena finale, guidata e raccontata da due virtuosi narratori Alenka Marinic e Giovanni Fusetti. Uno spettacolo per tutte le età, ispirato dalle terre del confine e creato per lo gente che le abita, presentato in una divertente combinazione di Italiano, Sloveno… e una varietà di altre lingue, dialetti, accenti e grammelot.
Venite a trovarci in Slotalia!
WELCOME TO SLOTALIA is a vivid storytelling-theater evening in public space in Slovenian and Italian. It is a playful show about the story of the land and the people that live by the border betweeen Slovenia and Italy. An evening filled with historical facts, humor, songs, mad characters and an unexpected twist at the end, driven and told by two virtuosic storytellers, Giovanni Fusetti and Alenka Marinič. A show for all generations made from the land and for the people that live there. Join us in Slotalia!
Ingresso libero/Free Admission
ore 19:00, Borov Gozdiček, Grčna, 5000, NOVA GORICA, SLOVENIA
Nell’ambito del festival CITTA’ DEI CLOWN, 29.6-1.7.2025, Nova Gorica, parte del programma ufficiale di
GO!2025 – Capitale Europea della Cultura
Questo spettacolo è stato creato nel 2023 durante un percorso artistico lungo il confine Italo-sloveno nell’ambito del progetto europeo www.alongthewalk.eu.
This show was created in 2023 , as part of an artistic walk along the border between Italy and Slovenia, within the european project www.alongthewalk.eu
2024
PADOVA-ITALY
Tuesday November 5th / Martedi 5 Ottobre
Wednesday November 6th / Mercoledi 6 Ottobre
Thursday November 7th / Giovedi 7 Ottobre
RED NOSES
A Clown Variety Show
Varietà Comico per Clowns
La presentazione finale degli allievi del Corso Internazionale sul Clown Teatrale
diretto da Giovanni Fusetti
The Final Presentation of THE RED NOSE INTENSIVE
led by Giovanni Fusetti
con
Alberto Vizoso (Brasile)
Egemen Ulutas (Turchia)
Ewerton Andreas Martin (Brasile)
Ez Bridgman (Canada)
Filippo Sbalchiero (Italia)
Glenda Goldberg (Australia)
Kristen Hoffman (USA)
Leyla Levi (Turchia)
Luis Feliciano (USA)
Marcelo Colavitto (Brasile)
Saskia Solomons (UK)
Tim Versteeg (CH)
Questa serata è l’ultima tappa del Laboratorio Internazionale sul CLOWN TEATRALE diretto a Padova da Giovanni Fusetti. Gli allievi hanno incontrato la più piccola maschera del teatro, il NASO ROSSO, esplorando il mondo della propria comicità individuale. Prima di diventare un personaggio teatrale, il clown è uno stato di presenza e vitalità scenica, dove l’attore esplora la sua più unica e personalissima stupidità e la trasforma in comicità.
Una troupe internazionale di 12 allieve e allievi presenterà uno spettacolo di varietà costituito da una serie di numeri, routines e atti comici creati durante il corso. Celebreranno la propria ingenuità e poetica stupidità, in una serata di virtuosismi ridicoli, sublimi fiaschi con canzoni, musica e catastrofi varie.
Non è uno spettacolo per bambini, ma la serata è adatta a qualsiasi pubblico.
This performance is the last act of a four week intensive training program on THEATRE CLOWN led in Padova by Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have encountered the smallest mask in theater, THE RED NOSE, exploring the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a poetic transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance, an international group of 12 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, dancing, music and various other catastrophes.
This is not a children show but it is suitable for all ages.
Where/Dove: HELIKOS STUDIO, Via Monte Solarolo 16/A, 35141 PADOVA – ITALY
When/Orario: 7:30 PM / 19:30
Admission: free admissions, donations are welcome. Ingresso Libero, una donazione è benvenuta.
For information and reservations / Per informazioni e prenotazioni:
Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
L’intelligenza è limitata, la stupidià è infinita.
VARIATIONS ON BOUFFONS
Friday, September 6th at 7:30 pm
Boulder Circus Center
4747 26th St, Boulder, CO
80301 USA
Welcome to the final act of a three-week intensive training program led by Giovanni Fusetti.
The participants have explored the world of Bouffons and Grotesque theater.
An international troupe of 14 performers, coming from the US, Canada, Argentina, Colombia and Norway, will present a series of acts, in which bouffons will mock the world in which we live, with their ruthless and ecstatic instinct to expose the collective games that humans like to play.
The word Bouffon has its roots in a latin verb: buffare, to puff, to fill the cheeks with air. It seems to be a very old practice of humans. To deform oneself, to swell in order to mimic our fellow humans, and to provoke laughter. In fact, bouffons are direct descendants of the Satyrs of ancient greek Satyric Drama.
The actual word Bouffons comes from the French bouffon, and it entered the English theatrical language through the work of Jacques Lecoq.
The essence of Bouffon is to mock: it’s a specific role, existing in all human societies. The Bouffons represent elements of the society in an amplified, exaggerated, ecstatic way, therefore provoking laughter and outrage. Their essence is in being an amplified mirror of the society, revealing its complexity, its contradictions, its shadows, and, ultimately, its underlying folly, made of an ever-shifting combination of the many facets of the human condition .
The duration of the evening will be approximately two hours, with a brief intermission.
Entrance is free and a donation at the door will be welcome.
The performance will contain adult language, explicit sexual material, and provocative subjects, so it is not suitable for a young audience.
Doors will open at 7:15 for a 7:30 start
Due to the limited number of seats, reservations are required.
Please reserve your place by email, writing to giovanni.fusetti@helikos.com
AS OF TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, THERE ARE NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE.
You can find further details about the training on this page
https://giovannifusetti.com/bouffon-intensive-boulder-2024/
Brunswick, Melbourne
Thursday, February 8th, 2024
CLOWN’S LIFE
COMMUNITY SHOWING
An evening of comic poetry
from the Clown World.
Welcome to the open showing of selected materials from the Clown’s Life Training.
An group of 12 performers have explored the world of Red Nose clowns in this advanced three-week workshop, in order to train further with their clown, and play and device together.
In Clown’s Life we have explored, in depth and naivety of the Red Nose, some fundamental themes of life: emotions, love, relationships, illness, death, blind dates, sex, friendship, politics, therapy and much more.
The result is an evening of short pieces that will bring you into the world as seen by the Clown: powerful, present, naive, funny, moving and paradoxically wonderful.
Come and be delighted, surprised, moved… maybe provoked or outraged, … and we’ll be very happy to see you there.
p.s. If you’re wondering if you can bring kids – please review the list of themes above (love, relationships, death, sexuality, etc.). The show will contain material addressing these themes, with some adult poetic language.
More info: https://giovannifusetti.com/clowns-life/
Tickets free/donation.
Doors open at 6.30pm.
Show starts 7pm.
Show runs for 90mins, plus an interval.
DATE
Thursday February 8th, 2024 – 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (UTC+11)
LOCATION
St.Ambrose Hall
3 Dawson St, Brunswick VIC 3056
Please use the link below to invite your friends and relatives. It is important that they book in advance so that we know exactly how many people to expect. Currently the audience capacity is set at 60.
https://www.trybooking.com/COVHP
For further information please contact Kimberley at ktwiner@gmail.com
2023
Friday 1 December 2023
6:30 PM
Coburg, Melbourne, VIC, AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA DELL’ARTE
COMMUNITY SHOWING
The students of the 3 week Australia dell’Arte workshop offer up a showing of experimental new work performed in the style of Half Mask Comedy. Students have used Commedia dell’Arte as a jumping off point to explore Australian archetypes.
The course has been taught by Giovanni Fusetti, the students have made their own Half Masks under the tutelage of Beth Twentyman, assisted by Daryl Pellizzer.
Performers will wear half masks that they created during the training, as well as traditional Commedia dell’Arte leather masks by Italian mask maker Stefano Perocco and contemporary half mask made by Beth and Daryl.
More info: https://giovannifusetti.com/australia-dellarte/
Tickets free/donation.
Doors open at 6.30pm.
Show starts 7pm.
Show runs for 90mins, plus an interval.
Suitability?
We expect the show to be at a minimum PG rated, if you are thinking of bringing youngens check with us closer to the date. This work can easily go into adult content.
DATE
Friday 1 December 2023 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (UTC+11)
LOCATION
Coburg Uniting Church
19 Victoria St, Coburg VIC 3038
Please use the link below to invite your friends and relatives. It is important that they book in advance so that we know exactly how many people to expect. Currently the audience capacity is set at 60.
https://www.trybooking.com/CNLHZ
For further information please contact Kimberley at ktwiner@gmail.com
PADOVA-ITALY
Tuesday October 24th / Martedi 24 Ottobre
Wednesday October 25th / Mercoledi 25 Ottobre
Thursday October 26th / Giovedi 26 Ottobre
RED NOSES
A Clown Variety Show
Varietà Comico per Clowns
La presentazione finale degli allievi del Corso Internazionale sul Clown Teatrale
diretto da Giovanni Fusetti
The Final Presentation of THE RED NOSE INTENSIVE
led by Giovanni Fusetti
con
Alistar Bennis (India)
Claire Ohme (Australia/France)
Hannah Winter (Hungary/UK)
Jo Leishman (Australia)
Katie Rebich (USA)
Lasse Vitamaki (Finland)
Lindi Dedek (Czech Republic/Germany)
Meredith Cole (Australia)
Michael Burgos (USA)
Siri Embla (Norway/New Zealand)
Solomon Seal (USA)
Theo Kennedy (UK)
Questa serata è l’ultima tappa del Laboratorio Internazionale sul CLOWN TEATRALE diretto a Padova da Giovanni Fusetti. Gli allievi hanno incontrato la più piccola maschera del teatro, il NASO ROSSO, esplorando il mondo della propria comicità individuale. Prima di diventare un personaggio teatrale, il clown è uno stato di presenza e vitalità scenica, dove l’attore esplora la sua più unica e personalissima stupidità e la trasforma in comicità.
Una troupe internazionale di 12 allieve e allievi presenterà uno spettacolo di varietà costituito da una serie di numeri, routines e atti comici creati durante il corso. Celebreranno la propria ingenuità e poetica stupidità, in una serata di virtuosismi ridicoli, sublimi fiaschi con canzoni, musica e catastrofi varie.
Non è uno spettacolo per bambini, ma la serata è adatta a qualsiasi pubblico.
This performance is the last act of a four week intensive training program on THEATRE CLOWN led in Padova by Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have encountered the smallest mask in theater, THE RED NOSE, exploring the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a poetic transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance, an international group of 12 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, dancing, music and various other catastrophes.
This is not a children show but it is suitable for all ages.
Where/Dove: HELIKOS STUDIO, Via Monte Solarolo 16/A, 35141 PADOVA – ITALY
When/Orario: 7:30 PM / 19:30
Admission: free admissions, donations are welcome. Ingresso Libero, una donazione è benvenuta.
For information and reservations / Per informazioni e prenotazioni:
Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
L’intelligenza è limitata, la stupidià è infinita.
Alenka Marinič and Giovanni Fusetti are embarking on their second 10-day artistic walk THE ROUTE TO THE ROUTES within the Along the Walk project. They walk along the Italian-Slovenian border, starting on September 12 in Ročinj and ending on September 21 in Monfalcone / Tržič.
You are invited to meet them in Slotalia:
16.9. at 8pm, Šmartno, upper square
18.9. at 8pm, Števerjan / San Floriano del Collio
19.9. at 6.30pm, Nova Gorica, the courtyard of the Nova Gorica Retirement Home
WELCOME TO SLOTALIA is a vivid storytelling-theater evening in public space in Slovenian and Italian. It is a playful show about the story of the land and the people that live by the border betweeen Slovenia and Italy. An evening filled with historical facts, humor, songs, mad characters and an unexpected twist at the end, driven and told by two virtuosic storytellers, Giovanni Fusetti and Alenka Marinič. A show for all generations made from the land and for the people that live there. Join us in Slotalia!
More about the artistic walk The Route to the Routes:
http://www.narobov.org/index.php?/projekti/route-to-the-roots/
THE BLOG: https://alongthewalk.eu/2023/08/28/auto-draft/
More about the project Along the Walk: http://www.narobov.org/index.php?/projekti/vzdolz-poti–along-the-walk/
https://alongthewalk.eu/
More about Alenka Marinič: http://www.narobov.org/index.php?/ekipa/alenka/
More about Giovanni Fusetti: http://www.narobov.org/index.php?/ekipa/giovanni/
PADOVA-ITALY
Tuesday June 6th / Martedi 6 Giugno
Wednesday June 7th / Mercoledi 7 Giugno
Thursday June 8th / Giovedi 8 Giugno
RED NOSES
A Clown Variety Show
Varietà Comico per Clowns
La presentazione finale degli allievi del Corso Internazionale sul Clown Teatrale
diretto da Giovanni Fusetti
The Final Presentation of THE RED NOSE INTENSIVE
led by Giovanni Fusetti
con
Brian Byrne (USA)
Claudia Leonardi (Italia)
Gergely Dózsa (Hungary)
Jessie Rizzi (Australia)
Klara van Wyk (South Africa)
Margarita Blush (Bulgary/USA)
Mitch Salm (USA/Italy)
Nicola Pohl (Australia)
Rhian Hiew (Malaysia/Singapore)
Sally Mayhew (UK)
Sarah Robertson (Canada)
Valerie Himschoot (Belgium)
Questa serata è l’ultima tappa del Laboratorio Internazionale sul CLOWN TEATRALE diretto a Padova da Giovanni Fusetti. Gli allievi hanno incontrato la più piccola maschera del teatro, il NASO ROSSO, esplorando il mondo della propria comicità individuale. Prima di diventare un personaggio teatrale, il clown è uno stato di presenza e vitalità scenica, dove l’attore esplora la sua più unica e personalissima stupidità e la trasforma in comicità.
Una troupe internazionale di 12 allieve e allievi presenterà uno spettacolo di varietà costituito da una serie di numeri, routines e atti comici creati durante il corso. Celebreranno la propria ingenuità e poetica stupidità, in una serata di virtuosismi ridicoli, sublimi fiaschi con canzoni, musica e catastrofi varie.
Non è uno spettacolo per bambini, ma la serata è adatta a qualsiasi pubblico.
This performance is the last act of a four week intensive training program on THEATRE CLOWN led in Padova by Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have encountered the smallest mask in theater, THE RED NOSE, exploring the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a poetic transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance, an international group of 12 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, dancing, music and various other catastrophes.
This is not a children show but it is suitable for all ages.
Where/Dove: HELIKOS STUDIO, Via Monte Solarolo 16/A, 35141 PADOVA – ITALY
When/Orario: 7:30 PM / 19:30
Admission: free admissions, donations are welcome. Ingresso Libero, una donazione è benvenuta.
For information and reservations / Per informazioni e prenotazioni:
Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
L’intelligenza è limitata, la stupidià è infinita.
2022
BOULDER, Colorado, USA
VARIATIONS ON BOUFFONS
Friday, AUGUST 19th at 7:30 pm
Boulder Circus Center, 4747 26th St, Boulder, CO 80301
Welcome to the last act of a three-week intensive training program led by Giovanni Fusetti.
The participants have explored the world of Bouffons and their grotesque language.
A troupe of 14 performers will present a series of acts, in which bouffons will mock the world in which we live, with their ruthless and ferocious instinct to expose the collective games that humans like to play.
The word Bouffon has its roots in a latin verb: buffare, to puff, to fill the cheeks with air. It seems to be a very old practice of humans. To deform oneself, to swell in order to mimic our fellow humans, and to provoke laughter. In fact, bouffons are direct descendants of the satyrs of ancient greek Satyric Drama.
The actual word Bouffons comes from the French bouffon, and it entered the English theatrical language through the work of Jacques Lecoq.The essence of Bouffon is to mock: it’s a specific role, existing in all human societies. The Bouffons represent elements of the society in an amplified, distorted, exaggerated way, therefore provoking laughter and outrage. Their essence is in being an amplified mirror of the society, revealing its contradictions, its ambiguity, its hidden agendas and, finally, its underlying folly.
The duration of the evening will be approximately one and a half hours, with a brief intermission.
Entrance is free and a donation at the door will be welcome.
The performance will contain adult language, explicit sexual material, and provocative subject matter, so it is not suitable for a young audience.
Please reserve your place by email, writing to giovanni.fusetti@helikos.com
COVID SAFETY
We kindly require the audience to wear a face-mask during the evening. The whole cast has been tested daily during the training, will test on the morning of the performance and will perform without wearing a face-mask.
See you on Friday !
Giovanni Fusetti
PADOVA, ITALY
Tuesday June 7th / Martedi 7 Giugno
Wednesday June 8th / Mercoledi 9 Giugno
Thursday June 9th / Giovedi 9 Giugno
RED NOSES
A Clown Variety Show
Varietà Comico per Clowns
La presentazione finale degli allievi del Corso Internazionale sul Clown Teatrale
diretto da Giovanni Fusetti
The Final Presentation of THE RED NOSE INTENSIVE
led by Giovanni Fusetti
con
Clara Setti (Italia)
Ellen Withshire (Australia)
Iika Hartikainen (Finland)
Lena Natus (Germany)
Lia Tamborra (USA)
Lily Fish (Australia)
Raphael Bantle (Germany)
Rosa Maria Autio (Finland)
Sandra Lange (Estonia)
Sean Gittins (UK)
Steve Day (Canada)
Tuba Keles (Turkey – Denmark)
Questa serata è l’ultima tappa del Laboratorio Internazionale sul CLOWN TEATRALE diretto a Padova da Giovanni Fusetti. Gli allievi hanno incontrato la più piccola maschera del teatro, il NASO ROSSO, esplorando il mondo della propria comicità individuale. Prima di diventare un personaggio teatrale, il clown è uno stato di presenza e vitalità scenica, dove l’attore esplora la sua più unica e personalissima stupidità e la trasforma in comicità.
Una troupe internazionale di 12 allieve e allievi presenterà uno spettacolo di varietà costituito da una serie di numeri, routines e atti comici creati durante il corso. Celebreranno la propria ingenuità e poetica stupidità, in una serata di virtuosismi ridicoli, sublimi fiaschi con canzoni, musica e catastrofi varie.
Non è uno spettacolo per bambini, ma la serata è adatta a qualsiasi pubblico.
This performance is the last act of a four week intensive training program on THEATRE CLOWN led in Padova by Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have encountered the smallest mask in theater , THE RED NOSE, exploring the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a poetic transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance, an international group of 12 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, dancing, music and various other catastrophes.
This is not a children show but it is suitable for all ages.
Where/Dove: HELIKOS STUDIO, Via Monte Solarolo 16, 35141 PADOVA – ITALY
When/Orario: 7:30 PM / 19:30
Admission: free admissions, donations are welcome. Ingresso Libero, una donazione è benvenuta.
For information and reservations / Per informazioni e prenotazioni:
Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
L’intelligenza è limitata, la stupidià è infinita.
2021
VENERDI 3 DICEMBRE
Ore 20:30, Studio HELIKOS, Via Monte Solarolo 16, Padova.
SCENA APERTA SULLA CREAZIONE TEATRALE
Le residenze di creazione a Helikos sono una forma pedagogica/artistica che in cui artisti teatrali si ritrovano per sviluppare i propri pezzi, alternando prove autonome con sessioni di supervisione e regia con Giovanni Fusetti. Dopo cinque giorni di prove gli artisti vi invitano alla presentazione dei loro pezzi, per poterli provare con un pubblico reale, ricevere le vostre osservazioni e critiche e poter continuare a svilupparli.
PROGRAMMA
BE MY GUEST !
Commedia scritta, diretta e interpretata da MONIA BALDINI
con: la Presentatrice, l’Attrice tragica, L’artista, Venere, la Bestia e Me stessa
Una commedia-rituale che sviscera, davanti e con il pubblico, i dubbi e le riflessioni sul processo creativo e con esso le scelte poetiche, gli aspetti autobiografici, il metateatro, la condizione della donna, la povertà dell’attore, la psicoanalisi, il corpo e il ruolo dell’artista nella società.
Ogni ruolo che dentro di me lotta per la costruzione del proprio spettacolo e cerca il favore e l’aiuto del pubblico per realizzare i propri desideri.
Sei spettacoli in uno, nella ricerca dell’uno che riunisca il tutto.
FEMINA
di e con RAMONA KARCHER
Venite a conoscere Madame Latour du Nord. Ha lasciate la sua traccia nella storia Europea. Tutte le donne, ordinarie o eroiche, straordinarie o quotidiane, sono unite in lei. Le fa vivere con la loro forza e le loro battaglie, in un viaggio poetico che ripercorre un secolo di evoluzione dei ruoli della donna nella società.
Durata approssimativa della serata: 80 min, divisi in due atti, a cui seguirà una sessione di feedback del pubblico agli artisti. Entrambi i pezzi sono in lingua inglese.
Entrata Libera I posti sono limitati ed è necessaria la prenotazione.
Per informazioni e prenotazioni : GIOVANNI FUSETTI
2021
Online Event
FOOLS DINNERS IN LOCKDOWN
Seven evening conversations with Giovanni Fusetti
hosted by Kimberley Twiner
FOOLS DINNERS IN LOCKDOWN
Session 1, Monday February 15th: ON CLOWN
Session 2, Wednesday February 17th: ON BOUFFONS
Session 3, Sunday August 8th: THE CHORUS
Session 4, Sunday September 12th: THE ROLE OF THE FOOL IN DARK TIMES
Session 5, Sunday September 19th: THE SPIRIT OF COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE
Session 6, Monday October 11th: WHY COMEDY ?
Session 7, Monday October 18th, 2021: THE DEVISING PROCESS
Sudden changes bring sudden opportunities. In response to the very upsetting timing of this last lockdown in Melbourne, I am happy to invite you to these evening dinners, cooked with questions and answers and more questions. The conversation will be oriented by the questions sent by you before we start. Any question related to these magnificent fields of theatre practice will be welcome. It will be nice to gather, brew some good thoughts and cultivate desire. And trick back the corona. See you at the zoo-m.
How to register: Send an email to giovanni.fusetti@helikos.com
If you have a question, please send it. Only one, thanks. I don’t guarantee I will touch them all, but they will feed my cooking.
Places are limited to 30 participants. They will be given in order of reception. Please specify if you wish to attend both sessions or just one. In which case please specify which one.
Where: on ZOOM. The link will be sent to you upon reception of your registration email
When: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Melbourne Time
Open to: Anyone who have participated to any of the workshops taught by Giovanni in Melbourne between 2017 and 2020.
Fee: Free entry, BYO drinks.
2020
Giovanni Fusetti è COVIVIDO: un incrocio tra un Buffone, uno Zanni e …un Virus. In questi tempi folli di triage, distanziamento sociale e sanificazione compulsiva, Covivido non vi lascerà scampo nel rispettare le mirabolanti misure anti-contagio. Invasivo, insinuante, tachente e saltellante.
Giovanni Fusetti is COVIVIDO: a crossbreed between a Bouffon, a Zanni and…a Virus. In these crazy times of tracing, social distancing and compulsive sanification, Covivido will ruthlessly enforce the wondrous anti-infection regulations. Intrusive, pervasive, sticky and outrageously hopping.
THE PANDEMIC TIME
Lockdown at the Helikos Studio, December 2020
And then the pandemic came
the world took a big breath
and could not exhale any more
And all classes went silent
all theatres were empty
all workshops were epitaphs
And the streets were full of fear
and the fear was full of masks
but not the ones we like to play
We hung our smiles on Zoom
waiting for the virus to go
and the bodies to return
This calendar is still empty
except for some survival gatherings
in our fluorescent boxes
Behind the bars of a digital prison
we look for a laughter a gesture a face
that will dim our craving for play
and remind us how much we love
the arts that we are missing
and the people we are longing for
When you will find this page
full of live events again
please drink a glass of joy to us all
Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, February 9th, 2020
FROM THE NEUTRAL MASK TO THE RED NOSE
A lecture-demonstration
with
Giovanni Fusetti
Where: VCA, 30 Dodds St, Southbank VIC 3006
When: 3:00pm for a 3:30pm start
Duration: two hours, including Q&A
Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/BHUCR
Admission: All are welcome, a donation bucket will be present on the day, with all donations going to fund Giovanni Fusetti’s Helikos School in Italy.
This lecture unfolds the journey from the Neutral Mask to the Red Nose, two referential masks in the world of movement theater. The exploration of the “Neutral State” is the foundation for all character work and eventually for the discovery of the idiosyncratic and personal world of the Clown.
The Neutral Mask doesn’t have any dramatic expression, and allows the actor to explore a state of fundamental presence, in the here and now of the theatrical space. The Neutral Mask has no past and no future, no impressed drama and no plans: it allows the actor to transform the body into “a white page, ready to be written on in the future dramas-“ Jacques Lecoq. Through the Neutral Mask the actor discovers a state of physical presence, calm and availability to space.
In the ” impossible” attempt to reach a neutral body, the actor becomes more aware of their own individual unique ways of being non-neutral. This leads to the discovery of the Clown through the analysis of the physical and emotional world of each actor, as revealed by her or his body in space, with the help of the Neutral Mask. The use of the smallest mask in the world, the Red Nose and the amplification and articulation of personal themes allow the actor to enter the Clown State, playing with their own unique personal stupidity. After developing the actor’s awareness of the duality between the State of Neutrality and the Clown State, the actor can explore some of the infinite possibilities of creating comic characters, based on variations from neutrality. Each character development is based in an unbalance from neutrality.
During this lecture Giovanni Fusetti will explore the key steps in the pedagogic work with the Neutral Mask and the Red Nose, as well as the story and the lineage of this practice.
Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, January 27th, 2020
BOUFFON AND THE ECSTASY OF MOCKING
A playful lecture
with
Giovanni Fusetti
Where: Body Voice Centre, 50 Wolverhampton St, Footscray VIC 3011
When: 4:00pm for a 4:30pm start
Duration: two hours, including Q&A
Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/BHUCR
Admission: All are welcome, a donation bucket will be present on the day, with all donations going to fund Giovanni Fusetti’s Helikos School in Italy.
2019
London, Saturday OCTOBER 19th 2019
THEATRE FOR THE REBELLION
A day of guided devising and brainstorming for rebellious theatre artists
by Embodied Poetic guides Amy Russell & Giovanni Fusetti
Where: LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, Saw Swee Hock Student Center, 6th Floor, Studio 1, Sheffield Str, London W2CA 2AP
FREE: all donations to benefit EXTINCTION REBELLION
to register: info@embodiedpoetics.org
Our approach will be one of a lecture demo, following by group exercises to incite participants’ imaginations as to how to theatricalize their environmental actions. The purpose is to encourage environmental activists to think and act artistically, poetically and aesthetically.
By theatricalize we mean the using embodied action for some form of identified “audience.”
We will be referencing different theatrical genres, tragedy, comedy, melodrama, to see how each one of them can serve such theatricality.
The exercises will be both group and individual, and the feedback will be collective and involve brainstorming.
Brattleboro, VT, USA – Sunday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
THE WAY OF THE FOOL
An Evening of Stories and Conversation
about the Healing Power and Poetry of Clowns
with
Giovanni Fusetti, Nettie Lane, Clown special guests and You!
Where : Broad Brook Community Center (Guilford Grange)3940 Guilford Center Rd, Guilford, VT 05301
When :7:30 – 9:30 PM
Free Attendance
You are warmly invited to an evening of stories and conversation about the healing power and poetry of clowns. The term ‘clown’ has been thrown around in all sorts of situations – from describing politicians to horror movie characters. But what is the real essence of the Clown? And how can the world’s smallest mask – the red nose – be a force of healing and poetry in our lives and the world?
Join special guest Giovanni Fusetti (Founder of Helikos International School of Theater Creation) Guilford resident and ‘clown mid-wife’ Nettie Lane, and a cadre of clowns in this joyful exploration. This evening is part of The Tao of Clown Workshop led by Giovanni Fusetti.
The public is warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend!
https://www.reformer.com/stories/five-events-not-to-miss-in-windham-county-this-week,585705#top-carousel
Padova, Italy, Sunday, March 9th, 2019
INAUGURATION
of the new
HELIKOS STUDIO
And welcoming of the participants of the PEDAGOGIC TRAINING
Where: Via Monte Solarolo 16, 35141 PADOVA
When: 7 PM
Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, January 19, 2019
BOUFFON INTENSIVE PUBLIC SHOWING
The final performance of a two-week intensive training on Bouffons
led by Giovanni Fusetti
Where: Snuff Puppets Drill Hall, 395 Barkly St, Footscray, 3011
When:7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Booking: Tickets are free, but bookings are essential, there will be a donation bucket passed around at the end of the event so please bring a little cash if you think you’ll feel like donating. Suggested donation $10.00 to $10,000 – but just a smile is fine too.
BOOK HERE: You MUST reserve your seat!
Welcome to the final performance of a two-week intensive training on Bouffons led by Giovanni Fusetti in Melbourne. The participants have explored the world of Satire, Bouffons and the Grotesque. A band of 18 performers will present a series of acts, devised through improvisation during the training. In each act, Bouffons will mock themes from the world in which we live, with their ruthless and ferocious instinct to reveal the collective games that humans like to play.
The duration of the evening will be approximately one and a half hours, with a brief intermission. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session with Giovanni Fusetti and the cast.
The performance will contain adult language, explicit sexual material, and provocative subject matter, so it is not suitable for a young audience.
Meet your Bouffons: Victoria Bonte, Zya Kane, Nick O’Regan, Maria Silva, Pauline Sherlock, Rosa Campagnero, Xan Griffith, Lucy Kingsley, Jessie Ngaio, Ben Volchok, Paris Balla, Ezel Doruk, Lina Limosani, Hallie Goodman, Wes Gardner, Emma Smith, Ell Sachs and Kimberley Twiner.
Any questions? Kimberley Twiner 0468664466
Bouffons have been watching the news coming from planet Earth lately. Their eyes are shimmering with jubilation and they have decided to come for a ride Downunder. They are coming to play the hell out of us all. Watch out !
Welcome to a lecture-presentation with the Italian theatre pedagogue and fool Giovanni Fusetti. In a playful exploration of this wild field, Giovanni will guide the audience through the history and origins of this dramatic territory, from its western origins in Greek theatre to its contemporary variations, and he will explore the unique folly and the profound mythological and political power of Bouffons. The lecture will address questions like these:
Where do Bouffons come from?
Who are they?
What is their relationship with Clown and Comic Theater?
What is their poetic potential?
What is the relationship between Tragedy and Satire?
What is the political power of this genre?
The event is recommended for an adult audience.
MELBOURNE, Australia
Tuesday November 20th, Wednesday November 21st, Thursday November 22nd
RED NOSES
A Clown Variety Show
the Final Presentation of THE RED NOSE INTENSIVE led by Giovanni Fusetti
This performance is the last act of a four week intensive training program with Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have explored the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a poetic transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance a troupe of 13 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, dancing, music and various other catastrophes.
Remember: Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
This is not a children show but it is suitable for all ages.
Where: ROSINA Auditorium, ABBOTSFORD CONVENT, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, VIC
When: 7:00 PM
Admission: suggested donation $10 to $10.000, but just a smile is fine too.
For information and reservations: Kimberley, ktwiner@gmail.com
Boulder, Colorado, Sunday, August 12th, 2018
CLOWN’S LIFE
An evening of poetry, writings and other stories from the Clown World.
When & Where: The class showing will start at 8:00, at the Boulder Circus Center: 4747 26th St, Boulder, CO 80301
The duration of the showing will be approximately two hours, including an intermission.
Admission: We suggest a $5 donation, but any bigger or smaller amount will be gratefully accepted.
Places are limited, please email for reservations. Thanks.
Giovanni Fusetti 720 938 0752
Welcome to the open showing of selected materials from the Clown’s Life Training.
An international group of 9 performers who have studied Red Nose with Giovanni in previous trainings, has come to Boulder for this advanced workshop, in order to train further with their clown, and play and write together.
In Clown’s Life we have explored, in depth and naivety of the Red Nose, some fundamental themes of life: emotions, love, relationships, illness, death, blind dates, sex, friendship, politics, therapy and much more.
The result is an evening of short pieces that will bring you into the world as seen by the Clown: powerful, present, naive, funny, moving and paradoxically wonderful.
Come and be delighted, surprised, moved… maybe provoked or outraged, … and we’ll be very happy to see you there.
p.s. If you’re wondering if you can bring kids – please review the list of themes above (love, relationships, death, sexuality, etc.). The show will contain material addressing these themes, with some adult poetic language.
Boulder, CO, USA
Monday July 16th, Tuesday July 17th, Wednesday July 18th
RED NOSES 2018
a Clown Variety Show
The Final Presentation of the 13th Boulder International Training on Theater Clown
led by Giovanni Fusetti
This performance is the last act of a three and a half week intensive training program with Giovanni Fusetti. The participants have explored the world of physical comedy through the development of their individual clown: a character whose comedy is a direct transposition of the unique stupidity of each actor. During this performance a troupe of 9 theatre clowns will present a variety show of comic acts, performing their naiveté, their stupidity and their skills, in an evening of ridiculous virtuosities, sublime fiascos (bides), singing, music and various other catastrophes.
Remember: Intelligence is limited, stupidity is infinite.
Where: THE NOMAD PLAYHOUSE, 1410 Quince Ave. North Boulder, Co
Admission: suggested donation $7 to $700, but just a smile is fine too.
For information and reservations: 720 9380752
This page will be progressively updated with past events, transferred by the previous website
Giovanni Fusetti 