Workshop Testimonials

“This was a week of serious silliness with a wonderful group of people. Dan is a sensitive and experienced clown teacher, who wears his knowledge lightly and it felt safe to play, to be seen, to experiment and to be stupid. The games and exercises were brilliantly choreographed and paced and created lots of opportunity to learn from the direct experience of being in the flop. I learnt loads and I had a great week. I would definitely recommend a Dan Lees workshop to beginners and to more experienced clowns. Thank you Dan for an incredible week.”

Sally Davies

“I recently had the pleasure of taking a clown course taught by an incredibly talented teacher. From the moment I walked into the room, I could feel the energy & excitement in the air. Throughout, Dan's enthusiasm & love for the art of clowning shone through. He was patient & encouraging with each student, helping us discover our own unique clown personas. Dan provided us with helpful feedback on how to improve our skills in a safe & supportive environment. Overall I highly recommend Dan to anyone interested in exploring the world of clowning. He is passionate, knowledgeable, & dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential.”

Piero Grandinetti

"Throughout the week Dan created a space for play and freedom. He helped me find optimism in my choices and gave me avenues to share my vulnerability with an audience. Dan encouraged a sensitive listening of inner impulses and importantly, to open up and not to hide from failing. “

Ciaran Duce

“Dan is a good and caring teacher. He brings students softly into the world of clown, and helps them to find their own level in what can be a scary practice. His gentle challenges lead students further than they thought they could go. Dan's workshops are also hilariously funny.”

Gerry Carroll

“I am too bad, I am too stupid to be here. I normally think in that way when taking workshops. However, I didn't have to feel in that way when I took Dan Lees' clown workshop. It is perhaps because Dan talks about the Freedom to Fail.

Then, day after day, little by little, I became more and more stupid, I think. I'm not a native English speaker, but I forgot about that on the first day. The space was completely safe, with joy, good rhythms and impulse. Thank you very much, Dan. Thank you, beautiful clowns.”

Yuriko Ogino

"Freedom in Failing was one of the hardest, most freeing courses I’ve ever done. Dan throws you straight into 'the shit', all you have is yourself, the audience your instincts, and the chance to discover what works and what doesn’t. I really don’t think there’s a better way to find your clown! It cracked something open in me and I left with a much clearer sense of what’s possible as a performer. I’m now bringing that spirit into my stand-up by ditching rigid structures and letting play take the lead. After taking the course I’m far less afraid of flopping, onstage and off. It’s like I now have a little Dan and set of class mates in my head saying ‘didn’t work? Try something else!’ There was laughter, even in the biggest failures, and Dan held the space with humour, care, and just the right amount of chaos.

It has changed how I relate to failure in life too (alright, bit dramatic.) But I’ve found I’m choosing optimism more often in situations I might have folded in before. I’m not saying a clown course will change your life but I think it might have had a significant impact on mine!”

Harrie Hayes, Actor

"I am still full of energy from that incredible week. That big crack in me has helped unleash much merriment and surprise. My work will never be the same. Dan is an alchemist. He creates a nurturing laboratory in which excremental flops can be transformed into ridiculous gold. Freedom in Failing is an absolute game-changer. I’m a completely different idiot."

Dr Matthew McFall

"Dan is a very talented clown teacher, who has a wonderfully calm and reassuring way of guiding you and helping you find your inner child, and exploring the world of clown. Whether you are an experienced performer, or an intrigued newcomer, you will learn and laugh a lot on Dan's course."

George Colebrook

"I found that being silly with optimism is such a powerful tool for all art practices! Although I tend to be too serious as an actor and a human being, I feel I’m not scared to make mistakes since the workshop. (cos Everything is a gift! Mistakes don’t exist.) It helps me to be relaxed and grounded. Such a lovely teacher, Dan and a wonderful community! Highly recommended."

Chihiro Togami, Actor

"Dan is a brilliant teacher - observant, honest and playful. His 5 day workshop was a joy - I haven't laughed so much in a long while. I felt free to be totally silly supported by a wonderful group of generous, funny human beings."

Caroline Partridge, actor and puppeteer

"Dan is the real deal. His training helped me to understand the complexity of clown in a clear and applicable way. I feel like I get it in a way I haven't before. It was hard and I failed at times, but since then I've found myself flourishing onstage and in workshops. The weekend after the workshop I was thrown onstage, with nothing prepared, to fill time during a costume change and managed to turn it into a moment people spoke about after the gig. This is the kind of thing that would have terrified me in the past. But with the fresh skills of a Dan Lees workshop running through my bones I managed to get laughs with ease. Highly recommend."

Louise Dickinson, Artistic Director, Alchemise Theatre

"I absolutely adored Dan's workshop. He did a great job of keeping our spirits high, even when we were in the flop. I highly recommend working with Dan!"

Johnny Walker

"Before Dan's workshop, failing to make an audience laugh felt like an dead end. The dreaded flop! After a week of games, exercises and brilliant teaching, I have never felt more comfortable getting in front of an audience. This workshop does EXACTLY what it says on the tin, you will find freedom in failure!"

Matthew Nicholson