Balm and Tonic

In 2023 I founded Balm and  Tonic as a co-created peer led play space for fools, with accessibility and collective care as core group values.

What is fooling?

Fooling is a form of solo improvisation where we meet and play with the cast of characters who normally live inside our heads.

Fools follow their impulses - reacting to feelings, physical sensations, the world around them. They give voice to the thoughts inside their head. Every performance is unique, unpredictable, human.

Fools have magical powers, as they shine a light on their inner worlds you might see yourself reflected there.

Balm and Tonic’s training, influences and shared languages include: Holly Stoppit (fooling & therapeutic clowning), Franki Anderson (fooling) and mindfulness.

At The Cube Microplex, Bristol
With fools Genevieve Cameo, Gregory Champion, Bee Golding,
Edward Rapley and Anna Rathborne

Care

I founded Balm and Tonic as I could no longer access workshop and performance spaces in the same way that I used to. I wanted to make a space where I and others could continue to safely play and create in the era of Covid.

Covid care has been a part of Balm and Tonic since we came together as a group. We PCR test at the start of workshops, we stay home and rest if we are unwell, and we require our audience to wear masks at our public performances.

We have so much love and trust in the group. We check in on our feelings and needs when we gather, we come as we are, we rest when we need to.