"A letting go fest! Truly liberating."
Denise
Women who run with their clown
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30 May - 3 June 2026 (4 days)
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You run, you run, you run. You juggle your day around and run back home to possibly run some more after these little clowns that you created or this old sweet clown that created you.
But where the hell has YOUR clown gone??
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Let's find out!
A clown retreat for women only, in English & in any language known to clowns.
4 days all included
Super Early bird until 20 Jan
Supporter: £345.
Normal: £315
Concessions: £285
"An incredible time. Only one wish: To come back!"​
Anja (trained with Nose to Nose)
What is it? 4 day in nature's beauty for us women to explore the various layers of the clown: The deeper message within the comedy, the metaphorical world & the unconventional language of the clown.
A time to play, escape and recharge.
"So much playfulness, but also depth, warmth and trust. Absolutely loved it. Ready to go again!"
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Isabelle (theatre maker working with people with different abilities)
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Who is it for? It is a clown retreat for women interested in clowning as an artform to raise awareness about life journeys in a satirical and poetic way. A time for clown women willing to work in applied theatre or theatre activism or for women willing to add a poetic layer to their clown or artistic journey. The space will be held by Sophie Besse - Founder of PSYCHEdelight Theatre Company (scroll down for more info).
"Find your edge and dive! Loved it. Life changing."
​Moss (trained with Extension Rebellion "Rebels Clowns")
Day 1: Clown diner party
Retreat opening celebration.
Day 2: Going on a clown hunt. Clowns don't just turn up like that. These little peeps are very cheeky and love hiding in unconventional places like inside a trumpet, or bathing down the river, or even in trash bins. Yes, lots of clowns grow among waste materials or unwanted products. So we might want to dig out a few of our broken bits to entice them. Clowns can't resist a broken shoe or a broken heart: They love upcycling drama.
There's another thing clowns can't resist: playing! So this will be a long outdoor day exploring our secret games to find our clowns.
Day 3: The Poetic Language
Emotions are often far too big to fit into words no matter how hard you squeeze and you push... So clowns developed another language full of poetry, imagery and metaphors. Some of them still love words of course but they'd rather play with them that's all. With their very unique language, clowns take us into a world where they can be heart-wrenching, endearing and hilarious at the same time, so on day 3, we'll go to their language school for the day. (More about our poetic approach here.)
Day 4: Time to dress up & invite friends over!
Last evening is party time with guests from the village. It's not a show, not even a sharing, more of a dinner invitation in the universe we explored. And of course, for our clowns it's finally the time to get messy-creative, dress up and powder their noses! We will explore diverse costumes playing around with objects, clothes, recycling bins and Nature's gifts. The last touch will be the make-up of course, a sacred clown ritual involving a magic mirror to reach inside us and spot the shadows and colours of our clowns.
Day 5: Clown goodbyes
Let's find out together how we want to say goodbye: with more games or from the top of a medieval castle, or both!
The dropping off time is at around 3pm in Bergerac
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YOUR STAY
You will be staying in an old mill from the 14th century and its wooden chalets surrounded by a little river and a bamboo forest.
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We have 2 individual rooms (supporter price check below) and 4 twin rooms.
We are located 35 minutes away from Bergerac airport and 5 min wallk away from Monpazier, a medieval village from the 12th century classified as one of France's most beautiful villages.
You will also find
- A swimming pool
- A sauna
- Monpazier's local market on the Thursday morning.
About The Facilitator
"Beautiful in both its poetic and physical language, Mohand & Peter is a triumph."
There Ought To Be Clowns
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More info on Sophie's recent work Here
Sophie Bertrand Besse, founder of PSYCHEdelight Theatre Company of Sanctuary is both trained in drama and therapy and developed an expertise in physical theatre, ensemble work and clowning (Among other trainings: LISPA, Lucy Hopkins, Gaulier, Lecoq, Told by an Idiot, John Wright, Frank Wurzinger, Ben Keaton). Sophie is specialised in participatory theatre and used her therapy background to develop a trauma informed approach in directing and devising. She creates shows with mixed casts involving marginalised communities who wish to raise awareness about their life journeys. Sophie uses theatre as a platform to help people express themselves and be heard. She is a diversity advocate and expert at holding spaces with different cultures, languages and abilities in the room. She worked with young offenders and women in prison for 7 years and is the founder of the weekly Together Workshops, a gathering space for local people and refugee communities in London.
PRICE & CONDITIONS
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4 days (30 May- 3 June)
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SUPPORTER - INDIVIDUAL ROOM: £445 You help provide access to our trainings for all & the 2 first people to book this price get an individual room.
NORMAL: £395
CONCESSION: £355
Check our super early bird price!
If you can't afford this clown retreat contact us here
PRICE
4 days all included
Super Early bird until 20 Jan
Supporter: £345.
Normal: £315
Concessions: £285
Conditions
PRICE INCLUDES
This women clown retreat will include full day workshops + delicious home-made food, wine in the evening, accommodation, workshop and transport from and to Bergerac airport or station at agreed time (see below).
. To secure your place you need to pay a non refundable £100 deposit.
. The full fee has to be paid by the 1st of May and won't be refundable in case of last minute cancellation.
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TRANSPORT TO & FROM VENUE​
Transport options are a bit up in the air at the moment as Ryanair hasn't confirmed their flights' schedule to Bergerac for the summer season yet.
Whether you land in Bordeaux (easyjet flight from Luton) or in Bergerac, we will come and get you. If interested to come, please get in touch so we can discuss transport options depending on where you are coming from.
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For bookings & questions
contact Sophie here (please put "retreat" in the title) or via what's app on +447954153038
Thank you!