Nathan Penlington

Nathan Penlington has gained a reputation as an original and inventive performer across the UK by skilfully shattering the myths that surround poets and poetry. Seamlessly fusing comedy, storytelling, audience participation and visual props with writing that is intelligent, accessible and entertaining, he creates a unique form of literary cabaret.

Nathan Penlington has the only Masters Degree in Performance Poetry in the UK, from London Guildhall, and is currently compiling a history of UK performance poetry. His collection of graphic poems, Roadkill on the Digital Highway, was short-listed for the Eric Gregory Award 2005, of which previous winners include Seamus Heaney and the poet laureate Andrew Motion.

Nathan also co-organises and is the resident host of London's weekly performance poetry and spokenword venue SHORTFUSE, which celebrated its 6th birthday in April 2006. SHORTFUSE has attained a reputation for presenting an eclectic fusion of stand-up poetry, performance comedy and music and regularly presents up and coming writers and performers alongside established names such as, Rob Newman, John Hegley, Stewart Lee, Kevin Eldon and Simon Munnery, as well as forging working links with performers across the USA, Canada and Europe.

Nathan has performed at venues throughout the UK for the past 6 years, including four successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival: as part of a spokenword cabaret in 2002, 2003 - which included a sold-out run of the Festival's most intimate venue, the '5065 lift' and 2004. In 2005 he returned with a new one man spokenword show If my life hadn't turned out differently performed at the Pleasance Jokerdome, with a follow on tour which included a performance at the Drinking and Writing Festival in Chicago and a series of shows in New York.

Quotes:

'A natural performer, witty, inventive, stylish and original' - Rob Newman