The Playful Path presents: Autumn Nature Play

A playful, embodied dive into play, performance, movement and nature

A series of 4-hour woodland workshops exploring Clown, Butoh, physical theatre, movement, play and nature connection in a special woodland location on Ashton Court Estate.

These sessions are an invitation to explore rather than a course in how to make a finished performance. A chance to slow down, get curious, be silly, move your body and see what happens when you give yourself permission to play.

12–4pm
10th October · 25th October · 1st November · 7th November

Sliding scale: £15–£25

With Joe D’Orso — theatre maker, clown and performance artist.

What to expect

A long warm-up to drop into yourself and the space

Time to land and connect with yourself, others and nature

Clown, Butoh, movement and physical theatre practices

Games, play and sensory exploration

Opportunities to be silly, strange, curious and a little bit ridiculous

Space to share, collaborate and witness each other's discoveries

A low-pressure environment, with opportunities to challenge yourself if you want to

A mix of silly stuff and deep stuff

Everything is an invitation, not an obligation.

There is no finished performance to produce, nothing you need to prove and no requirement to be “good” at performing. You can join in, watch, experiment, be silly, be quiet or follow your own curiosity.

Nature Play

These sessions are short dives into play and performance practices, rooted in the woodlands of Ashton Court.

Rather than using nature simply as a backdrop for making theatre, we'll explore what happens when we let the landscape become part of the experience.

We'll wander, play, move, notice, listen and respond. We might follow an impulse, encounter a tree, make a tiny ritual, become something ridiculous — or simply sit and see what happens.

The workshops draw on Joe's practice and training in Clown, Butoh, physical and devised theatre, site-specific performance, movement, ritual and mindfulness.

Having trialled these workshops at Noisily Festival, Hampstead Heath and, most recently, Goa, India, Joe is returning to the mossy woodlands of Bristol, where he grew up and discovered clowning as a youth.

This is an invitation to connect, reflect and digest through play. To explore the natural world through your senses, imagination and playful spirit.

The work is process-oriented rather than performance-oriented. The aim is to enjoy being outside, explore some unusual practices and see what emerges.

A chance to reset the nervous system and rewild your whimsy.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is curious about play and nature.

You don't need to be a performer or have any previous experience. Performers, theatre makers, dancers and other artists are very welcome, but so are people who have never stepped on a stage and simply fancy trying something different.

You might want to explore your creative practice, reconnect with your body, get outside, meet some interesting people, be silly for an afternoon — or just spend four hours doing something that isn't work.

Practicalities

We'll aim to show up rain or shine , so come prepared with warm and waterproof clothing.

If the weather is particularly bad or unsafe, we'll call it off and either offer you a space on another date or a refund.

Specific directions will be provided after booking. The easiest way to get there is by bike or car; there is a paid car park at Ashton Court.

We'll have a short break halfway through.

About Joe

Joe D'Orso is a Clown and Theatre maker and Capoeirista based in Bristol. He revels in the creation of absurd characters and experimental performances. His practice is driven by a desire to subvert and push boundaries, but most importantly, to create connection.

His background is in clowning, which he started 13 years ago in Bristol with Holly Stoppit. He has trained at École Philippe Gaulier Clown School, Rose Bruford Drama School and with clown teachers including John Wright, Jon Davison, Peta Lily, Holly Stoppit and Mick Barnfather. Aw well as Butoh teachers Vangeline, Marie-Gabrielle Rotie, Mitsuyo Uesugi and Ezio Tangini.

Joe is Artistic Director of the immersive night Trash Bagz, one half of the alt-comedy duo SPUDS, and resident clown at the punk theatre/feral rave night Nachtlicker.

His previous work includes his solo physical theatre/clown show The Newspaper Man and the ensemble Butoh show Irreverse with Butoh company LBDC.