British actress, comedian and writer Dawn French has entered the story world of outer suburban Sean Tan, voiced the main characters Clara and Pym’s grandma in an animated adaptation.
The 10 x 22 minute series, a highly active, flying bark production from ABC and BYUTV, tells the story of the clever “nearly 13-year-old” Clara (Brooklyn Davis) and his younger brother Pym (Felix Oliver Verge). The brothers’ summer vacation turns into a series of unexpected and surreal adventures, with the family encountering strange and miraculous phenomena adapting to new reality.
The Australian cast includes Michael Theo, Shabana Azees, Andrea Solonji and Tony Nicolakopoulos.
Production takes place in NSW and Western Australia, with WA’s production company Siamese being very active and produced in connection with flying bark.
Tan directed the series as creative director and worked with director Noel Cleary, producers Sophie Burn and Alexia Gatesfall and co-producer Francesca Hope. Barbara Stephen, Bernadette O’Mahony, Andorra Johnson Duke, Francesca Hope, Jeff Simpson, Julia Adams, Karen Vermelen and Libby Doherty were executive producers.
The Frenchman, best known for the BBC sketch comedy series France and the pastor of Sanders and Diblee, describes her character as courageous and adventurous, and also mentions “a bit weird.”
“It’s probably the strangest thing I’ve ever read that attracted me to the character and led me through the entire project,” she said.
“It’s very surreal. You understand it on a visceral level, but you don’t understand it either, so you’re trying to understand something a little surreal.
“This is a series on big topics on the subjects of rejection, forgiveness, absence, loss, sadness, judgment, friendship. I think it’s absolutely important to make a good quality show for children and families. And this is so important, so beautiful.”
Tan said French is “anchored of security in the ocean of animated strangeness.”
“Dawn brings unique warmth, confidence and lightness to characters that audiences really need to trust in difficult moments. I can’t imagine a better performance,” he said.
The announcement coincides with screening for episode 3, “Dister Rain” at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and is the first time any of the series has been released.
The series will air on ABC in Australia and BYUTV in the US. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation, which provided major production investments alongside Screen Australia, will distribute the series.
