Philippe Gaulier (born 4 March 1943) is a French professor of theatre, drama theorist, pedagogue, and master clown. He is the founder of École Philippe Gaulier, a French theatre school in Étampes, outside Paris. After studying under Jean Vilar and Alain Cuny at Théâtre National Populaire and then under Jacques Lecoq, Gaulier was an instructor at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. Known for his 'legendarily terrifying teaching style,' he has published The Tormentor (Le Gégèneur), a book discussing his thoughts on the theatre and containing exercises designed to develop an actor's skill. Gaulier has had a significant influence on the British Theatre, where his teaching has inspired the creation of numerous theatre companies including the Théâtre de Complicité. Gaulier is known for performing both clown and bouffon comic genres, as well as his work as a playwright and director.
Emma Thompson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Roberto Benigni, Rachel Weisz, Simon McBurney, Geoffrey Rush, Kathryn Hunter, Yolande Moreau, Viggo Venn, Mathew Baynton number among his students. Cohen has particularly praised him for "help[ing him] understand how to be funny," and in 2001 stated that he was "probably the funniest man I have ever met."
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