Dan Simpson

Biography

Dan Simpson is a poet, performer, and producer. He makes highly engaging and contemporary work that is popular, smart, and funny. His subjects include science and technology; history and place; geek culture and videogames; people and poetry. Dan has performed around the UK including at Glastonbury Festival, Roundhouse Camden, and at the BBC Fringe Slam. He has created five solo stand-up poetry shows for Edinburgh Fringe, and is one half of producing partnership Varjack & Simpson. He also hosts and co-produces comedy vs. poetry gig Stand Up & Slam. He has performed (poetry) at both a hen party and a death metal gig, and is unharmed. A former Canterbury Laureate, Dan's first collection of poetry is Applied Mathematics, published by Burning Eye Books. He has had work commissioned by Southbank Centre, Free Word Centre, and Corinium Museum, and he's a regular chef at The Poetry Takeaway. He has been Poet-in-Residence at Waterloo Station for TfL, at Knole House for the National Trust, and Canterbury Roman Museum for the University of Kent. Dan creates pioneering work using crowdsourced and outdoor poetry for organisations such at the Royal Academy of Arts, National Museum of Scotland, and the European Commission. He is an experienced project manager, co-ordinating literature and performance projects for arts organisations. Often working in scientific contexts, Dan has appeared at popular science events and talks. He partners with Dr. Sam Illingworth to create shows and run spoken word and science projects - such as Experimental Words, bringing together poets and scientists to collaborate and create new performances together. As an educator, Dan is an enthusiastic and motivating workshop leader. He was a Poet Coach on Apples and Snakes' youth slam education project Spoke 'n' Word, and is a regular in primary and secondary schools. He also runs creative writing and professional development workshops for adults. “charmingly geeky” - The Scotsman “His poems were tight and well thought out… clever and creative, consummately performed” - Sabotage Reviews ”wordplay alchemy... Simpson wants to show us that poetry can connect with everyone. He takes you by the hand and shines a light into this strange counter-culture that is poetry.” - Fringe Review

Samples

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.