Opportunities
COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE IN HELSTON — A WEEK INTENSIVE WITH DIDI HOPKINS
10th–15th August 2026, Helston
We have 8–12 places on a two-week Commedia dell'Arte intensive in Helston led by Didi Hopkins.
Who is Didi Hopkins?
Didi Hopkins is widely recognised a UK expert and practitioner of Commedia dell’Arte. With over 30 years experience, Didi has been a pivotal figure in revitalising this 16th-century Italian theatrical tradition (that brought us Punch & Judy, and Pantomime) for modern audiences, particularly through her work as a consultant on major productions and her "Commediaworks" practice.
The National Theatre made five YouTube films about her Commedia work. Didi teaches and directs at E15, Middlesex, Central, Rada, and ArtsEd.
She was Commedia consultant to Richard Bean on One Man, Two Guvnors at the National Theatre/Broadway, has worked as movement director on Restoration Comedy (RSC, Orange Tree, Arcola), for Operaglass Works (La Traviata, Turn of the Screw, Rake’s progress), with Eddie Izzard's solo Great Expectations and Hamlet, currently touring the USA, and Two Halves of Guinness with Zeb Soanes. Didi trained in Paris, Avignon and Venice with Carlo Boso in Paris.
We are delighted that Didi will be working with us in Helston.
Who is Trevow Helston?
Trevow Helston is a Community Interest Company that promotes, supports, and develops creative arts and community engagement across Helston and surrounding parishes. We make work happen - theatre, dance, live music, spoken word, workshops, participatory projects - and we do it across the town, not just in one building. Our base is a converted chapel that was boarded up for six years before we took it on, and which has since welcomed thousands of audience members across more than 150 events.
Details
The intensive runs from Monday 10th to Saturday 15th August, 10am–4pm. It takes place around Helston wth Trevow Chapel and Coronation Park as your bases.
Didi will focus on:
Masks, character, movement, improvisation, the grammar of space and audience and the foundations of an oral tradition that has shaped European theatre for over four hundred years. Outdoors, at the park you will work in front of real audiences developing and performing Commedia in public spaces, including the cafe.
Who is this for?
This is for people who are working professionally in the performing arts, or who are seriously committed to doing so. You might be years into your career or just starting out. You might work in theatre, circus, comedy, dance, music - the common ground is that you want to do this work and you'll show up ready for it.
You don't need previous experience in Commedia, street theatre, or physical theatre. This is a chance to go deep into a tradition that underpins so much of what we do, with someone who knows it inside out.
Cost
This intensive has been heavily subsidised thanks to the support of Didi Hopkins and Trevow Helston CIC. We want cost to be no barrier to taking part, so we're offering self-selecting tiers — please choose the one that's right for you.
£150 — Support the work
You're in a position to pay the full contribution and help make this possible for others.
£80 — Meet us in the middle
A subsidised rate that still makes a meaningful contribution.
£30 — Cover the basics
A minimal contribution towards materials and running costs.
Free
No barrier. If cost would stop you taking part, this option is here for you. No questions asked.
Every participant gets the same experience regardless of which tier they choose.
How to apply
Please complete the short form below. If you have any questions or thoughts get in touch at hello@trevowhelston.co.uk