Drama Games for Clowning and Physical Comedy

This dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book, part of the bestselling Drama Games series, offers 80 games and exercises to explore the fundamental concepts of clowning and physical comedy, encourage playfulness, curiosity and collaboration, and help develop performance material.

These active and engaging games focus on a wide range of core skills, including:

• Building and strengthening connections through collaboration and ensemble work
• Developing physical and mental flexibility
• Using restrictions, problems and accidents to devise routines and scenes
• Using props to reveal thoughts and emotions and deepen relationships

Throughout, the focus is on how to develop a playful mind and body, listen to and observe the world around you, and improve your ability to express yourself physically.

This essential book is invaluable for actors, improvisers, comedians, directors and teachers looking to explore the principles of clowning to enrich performance skills, generate original material or bring a fresh approach to scripted work.

'There are eighty games in this book: eighty opportunities to capture a mood, provoke a response and excite creativity. They are a gift. I wish I'd had this book a couple of decades ago' John Wright, from his Foreword

'The perfect companion for any director, this is the most imaginative and comprehensive book of theatre games I have seen' Cal McCrystal (comedy director for The Mighty Boosh, One Man, Two Guvnors and Paddington)

Joe Dieffenbacher is a teacher, director, designer, author and actor known for his theatre, circus and cabaret performances under the name nakupelle. He has worked with companies and venues including Shakespeare's Globe, Disney and the Scottish National Opera, as well as co-creating sequences for the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Blog Post: 'Interacting with the world through play' – how clowning can benefit any performer. Read an extract from Joe Dieffenbacher's book, along with two sample games, over on our blog>>