Who?
Grande Dame is run by Claire Ford, a British-Australian actor, writer and creator.
I’m not a Grande Dame. But one day, when I grow up, I hope to be. I think we’ve all got the potential to be strong, accomplished women and together we can help nurture it in each other.
A long time ago I went to film school and then drama school. After graduation, I immediately threw aside my classical training and started writing and creating comedy characters, where I’ve always been my happiest. I was lucky enough to spend a decade of high-intensity playful co-writing, producing and performing live comedy shows with Nicky Wilkinson as duo The Kagools and even managed a month in Paris with acclaimed clown Philippe Gaulier studying ‘le jeu’ or ‘play’.
The Kagools performed at 10 Edinburgh Fringes, 4 Adelaide Fringes, 4 Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and more; winning six festival awards, being booked in theatres and comedy clubs across the UK and, as The Kagools didn’t speak, they were able to perform in far flung places such as South Korea, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, New Caledonia, Singapore and Vietnam. One of these shows was for very rich people who refused to face the stage. Ah, the glamorous life of a comic.
Nowadays I spend my time writing comedy for the screen, with a wonderful detour into children’s books, producing live stage shows and occasionally teaching at NIDA.
Welcome to Grande Dame. I hope you have a fun time here.
Claire