Date: Saturday 17th January 2026
Time: 10.30am – 2.30 pm
Cost for Participant : $150
Cost for Auditors : $75
Led by : Aitor Basuari, Spymonkey Co-Artistic Director
Suitable for enthusiastic newcomers, performing arts students, emerging artists, seasoned pros and everyone in between.
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This one day workshop is an introduction to the key concepts at the heart of Spymonkey’s Theatre of the Funny . We believe that everyone can be funny in their own unique way, and that the best theatre is one that embraces this quality in its artists. With the emphasis on supporting a space that is accessible, supportive and safe for all to laugh, we will use our favourite games and exercises as practical illustrations, to create belly-laughter – improv exercises (the sometimes scary pleasure of saying ‘yes’ to the unknown), explore practical concepts such as ‘finding the game’, the importance of complicity, or fixed point, of playing together with our friends, and of sharing that particular quality of Funny that you and only you can be.
We have taught these workshops all over the world for 30 years and we are still amazed how much fun can be had by a brand new group of people, as long as they come ready to laugh and equipped with a sense of humour about themselves and others.
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Spymonkey are excited to open up our workshops for the first time to auditors. If you are interested in the our pedagogy we are opening limited spaces for auditing students to observe our Introduction to Funny workshop on 17th January in NYC. These spaces are offered at $75 per person and auditing students will not participate in the workshop.
Please contact education@spymonkey.co.uk for more information and to sign up.
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We’ve created a new Resources page featuring recommended books to help you prepare for the workshop. Check it out here!
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Please contact Khai at education@spymonkey.co.uk
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“Totally inspiring.”
Lucy Hopkins performer, London/Worcester
“One of the most amazing weeks of my entire life.. My whole heart is beaming and laughing.”
Isobel Chadwick performer, Northampton
“The work has made me more aware on stage. What makes me funny, and what makes an audience laugh, what doesn’t, why am I even on stage. The work has inspired me a lot, as a performer but very much as a person as well. This is the kind of work I’ve always wanted to do and was searching for in all the other work I did.”
Bill Barberis performer, Belgium
“What an amazing week! Huge, huge thank you to Spymonkey, and each and everyone of you who took part in the workshop for being so supportive with a non-performer, you made me feel at home from the very beginning, which allowed me to take risks and have fun. Go Spymonkey!”
Andrea Foa journalist, Italy
“Belly-laughter, support, ideas, and real friendships. Definitely returning for future sessions. Highly recommended for those new to clowning, as well as for old hands.”
Vera Chok performer, Malaysia/London
For more information about our bursaries, please click here.
