Oliver Yates is a Performer and workshop facilitator. They caught the bug of clowning a couple of years ago, when they met Lucy Hopkins at one of her Silent workshops. Since then, they have learnt with the likes of; Zuma Puma on one of her clown retreats, Mark and Alice from performers playground, Peta lily at her dark clown workshop and again with Lucy Hopkins for her 'circle of idiots' workshop.
Most recently they attended an Erasmus+ program called 'Young Clown' which they attended as a participant, facilitator and of course, Cabaret host! Oliver has also run numerous clown workshops, mostly notably at a local festival run by Hagglers Corner in Sheffield, at the Earth First! summer gathering, a full day workshop at the 'Young Clown' Erasmus+ program in Ashford, Kent and most recently a run of 2 workshops under the name 'Clown and Connection'. Oliver's main interests in the world of Play -
Following our impulses and pleasure. Using sacred silliness and ritual to connect with each other. Play as a means of connection with others and ourselves. DAFT-ELATION Manifesto -
Hello Human,
Have you ever been called names? Perhaps Daft, Stupid or idiot? If you have, You're not alone! As youngsters (and adults), we are often called these names and more but they've typically been presented to us in a negative light! Here at Daft-elation, we see all these words as HUGE complements! Idiot, how fantastic! Yes! I know nothing at all and that's just wonderful! and Daft? that rhymes with craft and sounds like an avenue for creativity to us! What is 'Daft-Elation'? Cultivating a sense of presence and connection through the embrace of the ridiculous
What's the purpose of Daft-elation? To spread our wild oats of joy through the embrace of the ridiculous, in a collaborative workshop setting and in doing so;
Become more present with one another, allow parts of us to be seen that wouldn't usually come out to play and emerge the other side, a little more open to one-another and ourselves.
