Get creative in the Bamboos!
9-16 May
25 July - 1 August
4 places released due to cancellation
1 place left
"Great retreat! Such a complete experience. Unforgettable » Margarita
A time for theatre makers, facilitators and curious souls!
A place to recharge, try stuff, and find support and inspiration. one week to explore clowning and visual poetry to stimulate your directing, devising, facilitating and acting flow in the big, wild nature!
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« A unique, life transforming experience. Peaceful nature, stunning village and delicious food! » Isameldin
Immerse yourself into PSYCHEdelight's approach.
A retreat in the French Dordogne, surrounded by a bamboo forest and a river, 5 minutes away from one of France's most beautiful medieval villages.
& A shorter one : 4-8 Sept
About Us
PSYCHEdelight is a Theatre Company of Sanctuary. We celebrate diversity and promote social inclusion by bringing marginalised communities and local people together through our creations and workshops.
We create new work engaging those least involved in arts, giving them an opportunity to express themselves and a platform to be heard.
Most recent productions: Borderline, Welcome to the U.K., Mohand & Peter.
“We believe theatre should open up doors to the world, and help us understand the lives of others. PSYCHEdelight is doing just this” - Young Vic
"The work of PSYCHEdelight is smart, nuanced and important. They create work that shines with authenticity, that does all the great things theatre should do - Entertain, move, provoke and motivate." - Theatre Delicatessen
What to expect
- 6 days workshops with a sharing on the Monday + 1 day visiting the beautiful region before parting.
- A moment to let your wild thing breath, play and find inspiration in nature.
- An introduction to Clowning: Laughter is our antidote to stress, exclusion and isolation. As a theatre company, we address serious matters and work with actors who experienced trauma but always with a cheeky smile…
- Games and ensemble work. One of our specialities is community building and we have developed many games accessible to all.
- An experience of devising: As a group we will explore what is "us" and what we wish to explore and share at the end of the retreat.
No strict daily program, we are also here to share our approach of facilitation: We adapt our workshops to the specificity of each group we work with, to what participants might need or bring.
No need to speak good English.
Your Stay
In an old mill in beautiful Dordogne, 35 min drive from Bergerac Airport and 5 min walk from Monpazier, a medieval village classified as one of France's most beautiful villages.
We have two theatre spaces, one indoor, one outdoor. Both equipped with theatre lights. You will stay in wooden chalets around away from all noise except for the river nearby and the birds. One of the chalets is hidden in the bamboos and can accommodate one person or a couple. It is attributed on a "first booked first served" basis.
Other accommodations are shared bedrooms for 2 people per room + 1 bedroom suitable for 3 people.
You will also find
- A swimming pool.
- A sauna
- Silent walks & selfcare, body relaxation time.
- Monpazier's local market (thursday morning)
- Barbecues and live music
« Exploring playfulness in Nature and turning it into a show felt so special" Lorenzo
« Feeling very grateful for a week like this full of images and poetry. » Daisy
About the Facilitator
Facilitator: Sophie Bertrand Besse AD of PSYCHEdelight. Sophie directed our shows and facilitates our north London Together Workshops since their creation in 2016. Sophie is both trained in drama and therapy and developed an expertise in physical theatre, ensemble work and clowning (Among other trainings: Lecoq, LISPA, John Wright, Lucy Hopkins, Complicite, Told By an Idiot.) She is specialised in participatory theatre directing and devising. She creates shows with mixed casts involving communities who experienced a traumatic life journey. She is a diversity advocate and expert at holding a space with different ages, languages and abilities in the room. She worked with young offenders and women in prison for 7 years and is the founder of PSYCHEdelight's Together Workshops welcoming local people and refugee communities.
« Such a special time. Missing it already! » Elena
PRICE
Total for 7 days MAY: £480
Total for 7 days JULY: £560. Earlybird £500 until 1st of June 2023
The fee includes food, accommodation, workshop and transport from and to the airport with selected flights, see below:
9th of May - 16th of May: Ryanair (Landing at 4.40pm in Bergerac and departing at 5.05pm from Bergerac)
25th of July - 1st August: British Airways (Landing at 8pm in Bergerac and departing at 8.40pm from Bergerac)
Total for 4 days SEPTEMBER: £360. Earlybird £320 until July 1st.