All About Clare

A truly versatile performer, Clare once played the Runcible Spoon in pantomime and sang the soprano solo in Handel's "Messiah" on the same day. Her two appearances on Radio Four's prestigious Pick of the Week could not have been more different: the first occasion featured Clare leading a workshop for the Royal Opera House and singing an aria from "La Boheme"; her

second contribution consisted of her playing and singing her own comedy cabaret song- "The Waltz of Nasser Hussain"- as featured on the Today programme and on Test Match Special.

Clare's life and career have inspired a television documentary, a play for London's Cochrane Theatre, plus numerous other broadcasts and articles in the national press. Her many achievements as a performer, writer and educator have earned Clare a number of awards, the

runner's up place in the Woman of the Year Frink Award and the nickname of "The User Friendly Soprano". As a soloist, she has featured regularly in opera, theatre and oratorio; on TV and radio, and has given numerous song recitals and cabaret performances both home and abroad. She has recorded three successful CD's and has sung her own comic songs in settings as diverse as Winchester Cathedral and on Radio Five Live Sport. Gaining in reputation as a playwright, Clare's plays and musicals have been staged regularly in theatres, arts festivals, museums and community venues.

N.B. Austin Macauley has just published Clare's first book: a children's fairy tale entitled "Tom's

Drum".

Personal career highlights include: a successful, all Gershin, debut C.D. and an ITV documentary on her life and work; solo concerts in the Purcell Room, St. John's Smith Square and the Pavillon in Hanover; devising and performing a year long series of concerts at the V and A; playing the female leading roles in two of her favourite operas:: "Dido and Aeneas" with Cyclops Productions and "Peter Grimes" with the Royal Opera House's outreach department; becoming the first visually impaired singer to be engaged by the latter, to perform and to lead opera workshops in schools and at the Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre; appearing regularly for nearly twenty five years on Radio Kent's Pat Marsh Show; studying for two decades with baritone Brian Rayner Cook and founding The User Friendly Theatre Company with Anne Graydon - Clare's multi-talented sister.

As an avid cricket lover, Clare is particularly proud of having been invited to sing one of her own comic songs, live on Test Match Special.