with Vivian Gladwell and Abigail Dancey
The word “courage” comes from a root that means “heart.” Through clowning and connecting to our playful spirit we can develop and sustain, in ourselves and each other, the heart to be who we truly are, to trust life and ourselves. “Taking heart” is a profoundly inward process, and an invitation for overcoming the fears that block us from being fully present in the “Here and Now.” This course establishes the ground for all our work and is an essential first step before going on to more advanced courses.
The group is limited to 12
“Nose to Nose is a transformative experience! The gentleness, generosity and care surrounding the playing and clowning makes it such a safe and exhilarating experience. I always leave these workshops feeling like a better person. I am becoming a happier and more confident clown and it is thanks to this special way of working. I can’t wait to be back.” Astrid Olofsson- Actress
Facilitators:
Abigail Dancey
After getting as much clowning experience in the USA over the past ten years as I could– through Nose to Nose, Christopher Bayes at the Pandemonium Studio, as well as through Michael Chekov’s beautiful approach to the clown – I’m excited to be in the facilitator training with Nose to Nose here in Europe!
I currently spend most of my time with two excellent clowns, my three year old and one year old. This is perfect training. Not only am I playing, but I also have the almost constant experience of chaos and failure. However, when I’m not raising children I’ve worked as a therapist in family therapy, for young adults, as well as addiction therapy. I’ve done workshops for young people in creative theater and improvisation who are interested in clowning and the experience of social authenticity. These things I hope to do more of through Nose to Nose as a facilitator.
Vivian Gladwell
Vivian is the founder and director of Nose to Nose and has given hundreds of workshops around the world. He lives both in the UK and France where he started clowning in 1978. He speaks French and English fluently.
Vivian began teaching in 1988 as part of the Lifeways Festival at Emerson College – UK. He trained as a facilitator with the Bataclown in 1990 and joined their team in 1991 also working as a modern day Court Jester (Clownanalyst).
He created Nose to Nose UK in 1990, Nose to Nose of North America in 2006 and Fool View, the Social Clowning group and has trained facilitators in the UK, the USA, Germany and Italy – view history.
He continues his role as ambassador for the work by researching the applications of clowning in the context of teacher training, medicine, conflict management, ecology and intercultural work in many countries (South Africa, USA, Senegal, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, Norway…)
He holds clowning as a social playground for exploring our humanity.
Fee (Tuition only):
Course Fee: £555
Deposit: £220
Date and times: 15 – 20 February 2026
First day: 19:30-21:00
Day 2 to 5: 9:00-12:30 – 14:30-18:00 –
Evening sharing on day 5 – 19:30-21:00
Last day: : 9:00-12:30 – Lunch
Venue
Peredur Centre for the Arts
West Hoathly Road,
East Grinstead.
West Sussex, RH19 4NF.
info@peredurcentre.org.uk
01342 312527
Step 1 – Book this course
To register for this course or enquire
PLEASE CLICK HERE
Step 2 – Accommodation and meals
Accommodation can be booked directly with the Peredur Centre.
info@peredurcentre.org.uk
01342 312527
There is access to a kitchen and dining area here to prepare your own meals.
Alternatively please contact us for list of local people and friends of Nose to Nose providing B and B accommodation.
Please note that this course is self-catering. The village of Forest Row with three supermarkets, whole food shops, cafes and restaurants is just under 4 miles away. There is similar in East Grinstead which is just over a mile away in the opposite direction. There is a pub serving food that is 5 minutes from the venue and a well stocked corner shop!