with Vivian Gladwell and Ali Stockford
The course offers a practical exploration of the clown’s take on biographical stories.
What is Social Clowning?
Social Clowning is the use of clowning and play as a way of revealing multiple ways of making sense of the stories we tell. The clown archetype touches on:
- Authenticity
- Vulnerability
- Empowerment
- Truth
- Courage
- Imagination
- Integrating our shadow
- Expressing needs
- Listening
- Self-expression
The absurd reflection of ourselves and of the world that the clown offers us puts the human heart back at the very centre of our lives.
The group is limited to 10.
PRE-REQUISITE: This course requires participants to have done Clown 1, 2, 3.
Facilitator: Vivian Gladwell and Ali Stockford
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, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, Norway…)
He holds clowning as a social playground for exploring our humanity.
Alison (Ali) Stockford
Facilitating workshops with Nose to Nose since 2016, Ali holds this work in high esteem as a perfect grounding for all creative work and the bigger picture of trusting ourselves and life. Always on the lookout for what is authentically funny, touching and true to each individual, Ali enjoys creating spaces for peeps to step into the present moment in a playful and connected way.
Performing experience includes: tap dancer and comedy actor in café-théâtre with Les Amuses Gueules Lille, France; Street Theatre and Theatre in Education with Inside Out Theatre Company, Hastings. In addition to nearly 100 workshops for Nose to Nose, Ali has delivered trainings for the Giggle Doctors – Theodora Foundation, Lis’n Tell Speech and Language Practitioners, Quantum Marketing, London, medical students at the University of Bristol and social clowning at The Imaginarium, Cambridge. Ali speaks both English and French.
Course fee: £590 – Tuition only
Deposit – £250
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.
Date and times:
The course begins Sunday 12th July 2026 – 19.30
Ends Friday 17th July 2026 – 12.30
Venue:
Peredur Centre for the Arts
West Hoathly Road,
East Grinstead.
West Sussex, RH19 4NF.
info@peredurcentre.org.uk
01342 312527
Date and times:
The course begins Sunday – 19.00
Ends Friday –12.30
Click here to book this course or enquire
NB : due to the specialised nature of this course, places are limited to 10.
Note: On some IPADS or IPHONES you may need to “long press” the link above.
To book a course follow the link Click here to book… above. You will see on the form whether there are available places. Submit the form with your details and we will let you know how to proceed with payment of your deposit. Your deposit is REFUNDABLE MORE than 2 months before the start of the course. There is a £20 admin fee for refunds. If the course is cancelled your deposit will be refunded in full.
Deposits are paid online.
NOTE: Your place can only be confirmed after we have received your deposit. As the fee quoted usually only covers the course fee, please check you know the total cost of the course (course fee + accommodation and meals). Click here
Once your deposit has been accepted, we will notify you to confirm your place on the course.
You are booked on the course ONLY when Nose to Nose confirms your place.
If you have questions or problems, email us at mail@nosetonose.info
If full email us at mail@nosetonose.info to go on our waiting list. We’ll let you know when a place becomes available.
MORE INFO CONCERNING COURSE FEE…
Q: Can I talk to someone? A: Yes, just send an email with your phone number to mail@nosetonose.info and we’ll call you as soon as we are free to do so.
Q: Are there still spaces available on the course? A: Just click on the link Click here to book… above. You will see on the form whether there are available places.
Q: Can you put me on the waiting list? A: Sure, just click on the link Click here to enquire and fill the form. We will put you on our waiting list and let you know when a place becomes available.