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"A letting go fest! Truly liberating."
Denise (opera singer exploring clowning)
Women who run with their clown
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10-14 September 2025
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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 retreat for women only, in English & in any language known to clowns.
"An incredible time. Only one wish: To come back!"​
Anja (trained with Nose to Nose)
What is it? 4 day in nature's beauty to explore the various layers of the clown: The deeper message within the comedy, the metaphorical world & costume and 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? Women interested in clowning as a way to raise awareness about social issues, life journeys & transitions. Women working in applied theatre or theatre activism. 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: The big escape
We will pick you up at the airport-train station late morning to embark you on another journey:
​The big escape. ​
Sorry we can't disclose more.
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... But clowns still love words, they'd just rather play with them, that's all. They developed another language full of poetry, imagery and metaphors and take us into a world where they can be heart-wrenching, endearing and hilarious at the same time. Clowns are not scared to tell the terrible truth, it's even their duty to do so, but they always hold a flower of imagination in their hand.
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.
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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 approached to 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 (10 - 14 Sept)
(arrival 10th am departure 14th am)​
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SUPPORTER - INDIVIDUAL ROOM: £450 You help provide access to our trainings for all & the 2 first people to book this price get an individual room.
NORMAL: £390.
CONCESSION: £350
If you can't afford this retreat contact us here As a theatre company of Sanctuary we support participants from refugee background who wish to develop & share their artistic and facilitation skills with their communities.
PRICE
4 days all included
SUPER EARLY BIRD
Until 31 MARCH 2025
Supporter: £400.
Normal: £340
Concessions: £300
Conditions
THE PRICE INCLUDES
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 payed by the 10th of August and won't be refundable in case of last minute cancellation.
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TRANSPORT TO & FROM VENUE
We are a 40 min drive from Bergerac airport and train station. There isn't any bus or Uber in the region so you have to make sure you arrive at the same time than the others.
Picking up time : between 11am and 12pm on the 10th in Bergerac.
Dropping off time: Between 9.30 and 10.30 am on the 14th.
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The easiest from London is flying with Ryanair to Bergerac airport. We recommend booking early for cheap prices.
10 Sept: 8.20am - 11.05am (Stansted-Bergerac)
14 Sept: 10.25am - 11.05am (Bergerac- Stansted)
For bookings & questions
contact Sophie here (please put "retreat" in the title) or via what's app on +447954153038
Thank you!