Clara Simpson trained at Dublin Theatre School and at La Classe Libre, Cours Florent, Paris. She began working in French theatre with director Olivier Py. She was an associate artist of the Theatre National Poplulaire for over 15 years, and has performed on many of the main stages in Paris, notably the Theatre de la Colline, Theatre de la Ville, and Les Gemeaux. Her last role at the TNP was as Gruach in David Greig’s Dunsinane. Her solo-piece Kitchen Blues, written for her by playwright-poet Jean-Pierre Siméon was performed in Avignon OFF 2018 at Le Train Bleu, and will be touring in 2023. In Ireland she has worked at the Abbey, Peacock and Project theatres. She was awarded an Irish Times Theatre Award for her role in Lolita, and in 2010 she performed Winnie in Happy Days, both directed by Annie Ryan. Recent work with Irish companies include After with Liv O’Donoghue, and extensive international touring in Chekhov’s First Play and Lippy with Dead Centre. Her Pas moi/ Not l premiered in Paris and has played at the Happy Days Festival in Enniskillen in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and the Brickbox Theatre in Worcester and is set to tour in 2024. Most recent screen credits include Zelie Bookmans in the mini-series The Reunion, directed by Bill Eagles in 2022, and Sandra in the French tv movie L’Impasse, directed by Delphine Lemoine, due to air later in 2023.
Languages
Français (maternelle) Anglais (maternelle) Irlandais (maternelle)
Dance
Contemporary
TrainingDublin Theatre School – Acting School Cours Florent – Classe Libre
Film2020 A Death in the Family – Kate Haley – Carole2016 Le bol de Marie-Francine – Valérie Lemercier – Jenny
Television2022 L’Impasse – Delphine Lemoine – Sandra Coste2021 The Reunion – Bill Eagles – Zélie Bookmans2021 Invitation au Voyage (Arte) Documentaire sur Beckett – Marie-Laure Daguenel – Interview/ lecture 2012 Section de Recherches – Eric Le Roux – Mme Simpson1994 Le Bal – Jean-Louis Benoit – Miss Ellen1994 Drôles d’Histoire – TF1 – Kate
Theatre
2022 Not I/Pas moi (Samuel Beckett) – Clara Simpson Mouth
Marble Arch Caves, Happy Days Festival, Enniskillen
2022 Not l/ Pas Moi (Samuel Beckett ) – Clara Simpson Mouth
Brickbox Theater Worcester Massachusetts
2021 Dunsinane (David Greig) – Baptiste Guiton Gruach
Toboggan, Decines
2020 Dunsinane (David Greig) – Baptiste Guiton Gruach
TNP / Théâtre de Vénissieux
Variations of Beckett (Sophie Charlotte Barth) – Shouskollektivet KlaraNesodden, Oslo
2019 Lippy (Bush Moukarzel) – Dead Centre Brigid-Ruth
Festival de Wuhzen, La Chine
Chekhov’s First Play (Bush Moukarzel) – Dead Centre Anna PetrovnaHong Kong Arts Festival, Northern Stage Newcastle
After (Liv O’Donoghue) – Liv O’Donoghue ClaraDublin Dance Festival, Project Theatre Dublin
Andromaque (Racine) – Sven Narbonne AndromaqueLes Clochards Célestes
2018 Chekhov’s first play (Bush Moukarzel ) – Dead Centre Anna Petrovna
ITA, Amsterdam, RITF, Bucarest, BAC, Londres
Kitchen Blues (Jean-Pierre Siméon) – Clémence Longy multiplesLe Train Bleu Avignon
Pas moi/ Not l (Beckett) – Clara Simpson MouthHappy Days Festival Enniskillen
2017 Chekhov’s First Play (Bush Moukarzel) – Dead Centre Anna Petrovna
Théâtre Vidy, Helsinki festival, Tbilisi International Theatre Festival, Via festival, Modena, Alexandrinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Ombres (JM Synge) – Clara Simpson Nora BurkeTNP
Lippy (bBush Moukarzel) – Dead CentreBrigid-RuthThéâtre National Prague, Dimitra Festival-Thessalonki
2016 Pas moi/Not l (Beckett) – Clara Simpson Mouth
Paris International Beckett Festival
Chekhov’s First Play (Bush Moukarzel) – Dead CentreAnna PetrovnaSchaubûhne-Berlin, Old Vic Bristol, Tnba Bordeaux, BaltoScandal Festival- Rakvere, Noordezon Festival-Groningen, Brisbane Festival
Lippy (Bush Moukarzel) – Dead CentreBrigid -RuthSchaubûhne-Berlin, Darwin Festival, Brisbane Festival, Gothenberg Teater Festival
2015 Le Roi Lear (Shakespeare) – Christian Schiaretti Goneril
TNP, Théâtre de la Ville, La Manufacture-Nancy
2014 Mai Juin Juillet (Denis Genoun) – Christian Schiaretti Dramaturge
Tnp, Festival d’Avignon
2013 Madmoiselle Julie (Strindberg) – Robin Renucci Kristin
Tournée Tréteaux de France
2012 Le Pleure Misère (Flann O’Brien) – Clara Simpson mise en scène
TNP, Théâtre de Vienne, Théâtre des Marronniers
Créanciers, Mademoiselle Julie (Strindberg) – Christian Schiaretti Tekla,KristinTNP, Théâtre de le Colline
2011 Ruy Blas (Victor Hugo) – Christian Schiaretti La Duesgne
TNP, Les Gémeaux-Seaux
2010 La Fable du fils substitué (Pirandello) – Nada Strancar
Agence Anne-Claire Chaffard / 190 avenue Daumesnil – 75012 Paris / Tel. 06 81 61 32 09 / chaffard.ac@gmail.com / http://www.agence-acc.com
2010 La Fable du fils substitué (Pirandello) – Nada Strancar multiples
Tnp
Oh Les Beaux Jours (Beckett) – Annie Ryan WinnieProject Theatre Dublin
2009 Par Dessus Bord (Michel Vinaver) – Christian Schiaretti Margery
TNP
2008 Par Dessus Bord (Michel Vinaver) – Christian Margery
Théâtre de la Colline
2007 Trilogie Beckett (Beckett) – Yvonne McDevitt May, Vi, Mouth
TNP, Théâtre de Vienne
2006 Le Cabaret Macabre (Jean-Pierre Siméeon) – Christian Schiaretti multiple
TNP
2005 Cherry Orchard (Chekhov) – Patrick Mason Carlotta
Theatre National D’Irlande
2004 Lolita (Michael West) – Annie Ryan Charlotte (meilleur rôle féminin ) Théâtre National D’Irlande
2003 Opéra des Quat’ Sous (Brechet) – Christian Schiaretti prostituée
Tnp, Théâtre de la Colline
2002 L’Opéra des Quat’ Sous – Christian Schiarretti TNP, TNS
2001 Death and the Ploughman (Johan Von Saaz) – Christian Schiaretti Ange
Project Theatre-Dublin
2000 Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll) – Michael-Barkley-James Queen of Hearts
Helix Theatre-Dublin
1999 La Lune des Pauvres (Jean-Pierre Simeon) – Christian Schiaretti Angela
Comédie De Reims
Stabat Mater Furiosa (Jean-Pierre Simeon) – Christian Schiaretti La VoixComédie de Reims
1998 The Seagull (Chekhov) – Corn Exchange Arkadina
Project Theatre-Dublin
1997 Boxes and Swans – Catherine McCauley Theatre National D’Irlande
1996 Vinegar and Brown Paper (Colin Teevan) – Brian Brady Jill
Theatre National D’Irlande
1995 The Crucible (Authur Miller) – John Crowely Sarah
Theatre National D’Irlande
1994 Big Bad Wolf (Edward Albee) – Corn Exchange Honey
Dublin Fringe Festival
1993 Men’s Rea (Karen Egan ) – Karen Egan
Agence Anne-Claire Chaffard / 190 avenue Daumesnil – 75012 Paris / Tel. 06 81 61 32 09 / chaffard.ac@gmail.com / http://www.agence-acc.com
Agence Anne-Claire Chaffard
1993 Men’s Rea (Karen Egan ) – Karen Egan Cat
City Arts Centre
1992 Femme Canon (Olivier Py) – Olivier Py Femme Canon
L’Hôpital Ephémère
Bouquet Finale (Olivier Oy) – Olivier Py GirlL’Hôpital Ephémère