Ssh. Being Silly is Seriously Difficult. Discuss.

Being silly is surprisingly difficult for many people.

Somewhere around the age of 10 years (and onwards) many of us learn to edit ourselves. We worry about looking foolish, saying the wrong thing or getting it wrong - and particularly 'standing out'. Yet, paradoxically, that's where the joy, creativity and clowning began for me. 

This week's clown class was all about getting out of our heads, improvising and giving ourselves permission to be stupidly silly.

And that's exactly what happened.

A few favourite reflections from the group:

"Don't worry about being silly."

"I enjoyed being spontaneous."

"I wanted to get out of my own head and stop self-censoring myself from being silly. I really enjoyed discovering how ordinary movements and gestures could become funny."

"I liked being a telly."(I should probably explain that last one… or perhaps not…!)

Thank you to everyone who trusted the process. Watching people embrace failure, celebrate getting things wonderfully wrong and rediscover the freedom to play was an absolute pleasure.

It turns out that being silly isn't silly at all. It takes courage.

More, please.

Next set of six week courses kick off in September. We’re booking up so grab a spot. Monday evenings or Tuesday afternoons or Tuesday evenings. All at the Citygate Hotel Exeter.

If you need a bit of serious silliness before then, come to my creating a comedy character workshop on Tuesday 28 July, at Exeter Citygate Hotel 7-9pm.

We also have a Wondrous witty women comedy line up for Chuckles in the Church: 

When: Thursday 10 September

Time: 7pm kick off (ends approx 9.30pm)

Where: St Cyr and St Julitta Church, Newton St Cyres EX5 5BN

Maggie Irving, comedy coach, has a super cohort of funny women all keen to perform for the first time in a church. 

Grab a pew and enjoy this special night out of women sharing their lived experiences, funny stories and jokes. Oh, and there might be an odd comedy character. Part proceeds towards North Devon Against Domestic Abuse