very angry hurt song

My idea for this blog is simple: Post something everyday about some object I have that day come in contact with. I begin with a clip of Dame Judi Dench singing "Send in the Clowns."

Now what I especially like about this clip (besides Dench's performance of the song, which speaks for itself) is the interview bit before the song. When the interviewer tries to put words into Dench's mouth, mumbling something about the "consummate tragedy" of the character's life, Dench interrupts him with the words, "Very angry hurt song." She's not interested in labeling the action a "tragedy," let alone a consummate one; that jargon is too distant. The interviewer had just been waiting to say his little phrase, sure of his lines, but thank goodness Dench interrupts him with words spontaneous and stunning.

The first three words--very angry hurt--seem to refer to the character who sings the song: Desiree is very angry (at herself? at him? at the director? at the stagehands?) and very hurt. But then Dench adds a fourth word--song--allowing the character's feelings to spill over into the song. Both character and song are angry. Both character and song are hurt.




I also like that Judi Dench, when asked if she likes playing the role of Desiree, responds with a single word: hugely.