Clown Fest Interview - Clare Parry-Jones and Denni Dennis of Send in the Angels

By Byrne Harrison

Name: CddC Productions (Clare Parry-Jones and Denni Dennis)
Show: Send in the Angels
Relationship to show: Creators and performers
Website: www.cddcproductions.com

Tell me a little bit about Send in the Angels.

When two angels are sent to Earth to bring love, comfort and joy, you might imagine that harmony would radiate throughout the world. But this is their first time away from home, with so much to explore and mysteries to unravel. Will you get caught up in the situations that arise, or drawn into the irresistible temptations that appear?

What inspired you to create it?

The creation of this performance emerged from our personal experiences of life and losses, and their subsequent transformation. Our work with Sue Morrison in Canada greatly inspired us.

What is your clowning background?

CddC Productions is the collaboration of Denni Dennis and Clare Parry-Jones. We first met at a Clown Convention in the UK, where neither of us had intended to be. We continue to find ourselves in unexpected places, exploring the life and art of Clown, from Canada to Russia, Europe, even Newport (Wales) to New York. We combine our experiences of working and living in clown, our training in the European style of Jacques Lecoq and Philippe Gaulier, the Russian character clown and the Pochinko method (as taught by Sue Morrison in Canada).

What would you tell someone who is afraid of clowns to get them to come to your show?

Take your fear in one hand and a soft, downy pillow in the other. Seat them beside you and enjoy the warmth that radiates from these two angels. Allow yourself to be comforted and transformed, so that you can leave with the fear clinging to your little finger and a big smile on your face.

What is next for you after the New York Clown Theatre Festival?

CddC Productions are performing in Denmark, leading clown workshops in Stockholm and rehearsing our newest show Babochka, conceived during our visit to St. Petersburg, Russia earlier this year. Babochka will be performed at the Chapiteau de ‘lEspace Fontveille in Monaco (France) in December.

SEND IN THE ANGELS
CddC Productions
Wales, UK

NY Clown Theatre Festival
The Brick Theatre
575 Metropolitan Ave.

DOUBLE BILL WITH FERDINAND THE MAGNIFICENT!
Monday, September 13th @ 7pm

DOUBLE BILL WITH CLOWNS WITH GOWNS
Wednesday, September 15th @ 7pm

AND PRE-SHOW TO ALL FAMILY SHOWS