Biography - Nathan Penlington

Nathan Penlington – UK stand-up poet and magician

Biography:

Anglo-Welsh Nathan Penlington spent his early years as a temporary Bingo caller and boy magician in a Welsh seaside town before moving to London just after his 18th birthday.
His background as a magician, which includes winning the North Wales Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Award,  
has led to him gaining 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, magic and award winning magic 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. 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. A selection of these poems are to be published in the Journal of Experimental Literature and 'Unpredictive'  - a poem written in predictive text - was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.


Nathan also co-organises and is the resident host of London's weekly spokenword venue SHORTFUSE, will celebrate its 7th birthday in April 2007. SHORTFUSE has attained a reputation for presenting an eclectic fusion of stand-up poetry, performance comedy and music and regularly presents up and coming performers alongside established names such as Rob Newman, John Hegley, Stewart Lee, Kevin Eldon and Simon Munnery, new bands such as Jesus Licks and Spinmaster Plantpot, as well as forging working links with performers across the USA, Canada and Europe. SHORTFUSE’s reputation for producing varied and entertaining events has led Nathan to be employed to produce and host events for a wide variety of festivals including the Brick Lane Festival, Stoke Newington Festival and Whitsable Arts Biennale, with audiences ranging up to 350+. 


In 2005 Nathan performed his debut full length solo spokenword show If My Life Hadn't Turned Out Differently at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with The Pleasance, after previewing the show at Chicago’s Drinking & Writing Festival, and in a variety of venues in New York. Last summer Nathan made his 5th consecutive appearance at the festival, teaming up with two of the UK's other most innovative spokenword artists to produce a unique show called ‘Invisible Ink’ which fused magic, music, poetry and animation to critical acclaim:  (‘Three masters of the spoken word are indulging audiences with poetry, music and scientific magic throughout this year's fringe festival. Invisible Ink combine perfectly pronounced poem recitals, rhythmic pros and tales of dreams and nightmares, which not only pay tribute to the English language, but expertly demonstrate what can be done with it’. **** Three Weeks).  

Nathan is also Poetry Editor of The Fix - a brand new national comedy glossy print magazine. For full information about stockists visit: www.thefixonline.com

Quotes:

‘A natural performer, witty, inventive, stylish and original’ - Robert Newman

'The best qualified performance poet in the country' - BBC Radio 3, The Verb 


‘Consistently original and accessible’ - Chortle

'A young turn of promise' - John Hegley


'Sensation' - The Guardian


'Nathan Penlington's fusion of wit, storytelling and visuals are garnering critics' plaudits and attention' - Time Out


'Fans of Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker and Simon Armitage will recognise Nathan Penlingtons whimsical poetic evocations from the North of the Watford gap. He points out hes not a comedian, but theres humour which touches the same place, and he has the talent with words to successfully open his horizons in future' - The List


‘Combining stand up comedy, performance, poetry and magic, Penlington builds a genuine rapport with the audience, encouraging participation and amusement’. Hairline


'...has little in common with Eminem or Murray Lachlan Young' – Metro

'England's brightest stand-up poet' - NewYorkCool.com


‘Set to put poetry right on the cutting edge’ - Hackney Gazette


Performances:


Recent performances have included a wide range of venues in New York (including the renowned Bowery Poetry Club), Copenhagen (Ord Pa Hjul), Chicago (Drinking and Writing Festival), five consecutive shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2002-2006, The Latitude Festival, The Brick Lane Festival, Shortfuse, Express Excess, 2ManyPoets, The Soho Theatre, BBC Radio 3 - The Verb, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London Live, The 5065 Lift, Stoke Newington Festival, Red Rose Comedy Club, Aisle16, The Aquarium Gallery and Bookshop, New Blood, Resonance FM, The Poetry Café, RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), The Royal College of Art, Cardiff Castle, WDR 3 (German radio), Marlborough Theatre Brighton, All Roots North Tour (various venues across the UK), Traverse Theatre Cardiff, Whitstable Biennial, Word About Town Festival Hastings, The Dylan Thomas Centre Swansea, Cafe Royal, and at many private and public events across the UK. 

For further information, or to book Nathan Penlington to perform at your event either as a magician, poet or both, please contact:

 

Nathan Penlington

Email: info@shortfuse.co.uk

Web: www.myspace.com/nathanpenlington
         www.20six.co.uk/shortfuse

 
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Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2002 Flyer

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Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2003 Flyer


(Nathan Penlington, Bette O'Callaghan and Dean Wilson)
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Publications:



Coming soon!!!



Watch this space for some exciting news about the latest publication by Nathan Penlington available in the next few months. 



Now Available:


71% inflated ego/29% somebody else (2004)





This publication turns the conventions of poetry upside down: a fusion of graphic design and poetry, by turns thought provoking and playful. Some have said "I don't know what is post post modern but whatever it is Nathan is doing it" while others have described it to be "poetic pornography for graphic designers". But however you want to describe the book, it is refreashing, contemporary and unlike anything you have seen before:



"Penlington is borrowing the poetry of the language of computer games, drawing the language of Worms™, Micro Machines™ and Tekken™ 3 into the poetic. It is a demolition of poetry of a poetry that had, as its focus, a subject projecting observations of a totally understandable world and from the rubble of this structure raises a new form". (Litmus magazine)



Reprint produced in limited edition of 83 - 71% covered in vermilion translucent paper, 29% in fisheye transparent film and silver translucent paper. This edition contains additional poems not included in the original 2001 version. All copies signed and numbered. Silver edition contains additional elements. Price £5 / £7 post and packing paid. Contact info@shortfuse.co.uk for purchasing information.



71% inflated ego/29% somebody else (2001)





Original edition - 71% covered in mango translucent paper, 29% covered in purple beachball plastic. This edition contains some alternative poems to the 2004 limited reprint.



 


Out of Print:



Funking Kunst (1999)



The 1728 Haiku Machine™ (1999)





Interactive poetry Machine that produces a total of one thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight different Haiku .



Goose The Aged (1999) (Audio CD)





Five track CD with words and vocals by Nathan Penlington set to abient techno by Mike Harmina. "Poetry to rave to for the Playstation Generation".  



Operation Margarine (1998)



Passport to Leisure (1997)



Poems published in the collections above have appeared in the following publications: Rising, The Argotist, Litmus, Lest We Forget, Gecko



 



Other Poetry Editing & Design:



Saline Trips Free (2000) (edited and designed by Nathan Penlington and Salena Saliva Godden)





Part three in Salena Saliva Godden's 'Saline Trips…' Trilogy of poetry booklets from this poet, performer and singer renowned for taking poetry out of dusty books and into the nightclub with Saltpervert, who brandishes its own special sauce of ska-punk-breaks and porno-dub-beats. Salena can be heard hosting Saltpetre Radio a weekly slot on UK's first independent art station, Resonance FM 104.4.



Lest We Forget (2000) (designed and produced by Nathan Penlington, edited by Nathan Penlington and John Bush) 





Poetry anthology featuring work of poets and performers appearing as part of a tribute evening at SHORTFUSE on 9th November 2000, dedicated to the remembrance of those that fought and died during the first and second world wars. Poets include Wilfred Owen, Tim Turnbull, Siegfried Sassoon, Tim Wells, John Anstiss, Rupert Brooke and Ivan Penaluna. A few remaining copies are available from SHORTFUSE - £3 (including post and packing). Contact info@shortfuse.co.uk



Burnt - a cabaret of words (2000) (Edited and designed by Nathan Penlington and Salena Saliva Godden)





Booklet of poetry written and performed by Salena Saliva Godden, Jem Rolls, Francesca Beard and Mr Social Control to accompany a six week season at The Old Operating Theatre.

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Poetry, interviews and other selected writings on-line:

SHORTFUSE home page:



Nathan Penlington co-organises, and is the resident host of, one of London's best performance poetry venues SHORTFUSE. Commited to presenting a weekly fusion of performance comedy, stand up poetry and music. This weblog provides listings, photos, news, reviews, new writing and special offers.  www.20six.co.uk/shortfuse



 



Poems



A special mini-site containing containing some of Nathan Penlington's poetry. www.anport.dk/np -  



Hosted as part of a web space that has been active since 1994, overseen by Jacob Orsted Nielsen, with the aim of generating 'some poetic motion in a world where language is getting more and more efficient towards selling the 'word''.  www.anport.dk - which also contains some other longer poems by Nathan Penlington in its'word' section: Light Trespass, Zincdust Lovelight, Past Tense. 


PLUS new for January 2005 a contribution to the Anport / Comic Project.


 



 


Interview



Idealog is a well written, good looking internet zine which always has a broad range of essays, interviews, articles and fiction, and aims to tackled aspects of the arts largely ignored by more mainstream media. Two articles in the booklog section concern performance poetry:



Poetry Rebranded: Spokenword in London, outlines some of the issues of how performance poetry is perceived both by the pubic and poets themselves.



The second article is an extended interview with SHORTFUSE co-organiser and host Nathan Penlington about the trials and tribulations of hosting and organising a weekly spokenword venue. www.idealog.uk.net



 



Extracts from 'We don't need English lessons to learn our lines':



Featuring edited extracts from Nathan Penlington's MA thesis and forthcoming history of UK performance poetry - 'We don't need English Lessons to learn our lines':



Stand up and be <Dis>Counted - tracing the links between stand up comedy and performance poetry.



Performance V's Print - tracing the relationship between the development of performance poetry and the rise of mass communications media and symbiotic relationship of the two.




Literary Top 10

PULP.NET is a monthly online literary magazine that publishes new short fiction by established and rising new authors, book reviews plus it also has a Live Lit page that details selected highlights of London’s literature events.

This issue also features a Literary Top 10 from NATHAN PENLINGTON laying bare secrets of the live poetry circuit and talking about his impatience with Proust.

For bookings and further information contact Nathan Penlington:



Email: info@shortfuse.co.uk
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...coming to somewhere near you soon...

This section will give details of future gigs and performances by NATHAN PENLINGTON. Listings will appear as booking confirmations are received. Performances in 2004/2005 have included: venues in New York (including the renowned Bowery Poetry Club, Telephone Bar, Atomic, Galapagos arts space), Chicago (Drinking and Writing Festival), Copenhagen (Ord Pa Hjul), Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, Shortfuse, Express Excess, The Soho Theatre, BBC Radio London Live, The 5065 Lift, Aisle16, The Aquarium Gallery and Bookshop, New Blood, Walking the Dog, Resonance FM, The Poetry Café, RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), Klub Kosie, Poetry and Poppadums, The Royal College of Art, Cardiff Castle, WDR 3 (German radio), DON'T FEED THE POETS! Marlborough Theatre Brighton, The Old Red Lion Theatre Pub, Monsters Eat Themselves! @ The Florist, Madefication, All Roots North Tour @ various venues accross the UK, Sherman Theatre Cardiff, Songs in the Dark, Illustrated Ape Launch Party, Utter, The Book Club - Lowdown @  The Albany, The Cellar @ The Poetry cafe, the Tip of Your Tongue Festival @ The Acorn, Penzance...and many more. So, keep checking and there is certain to be a gig near you soon.



For bookings and further information contact Nathan Penlington:



Email: info@shortfuse.co.uk
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SELECTED FORTHCOMING GIGS

EVERY THURSDAY:



NATHAN PENLINGTON is the resident host of SHORTFUSE <putting the spark back into the spoken word> a weekly fusion of performance comedy, stand up poetry and music. SHORTFUSE always has a range of top acts, from the famous to the up and coming.



See www.20six.co.uk/shortfuse for complete listings, news, special offers, new writings and photos.



SHORTFUSE:  Every Thursday @ The Camden Head, Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1. Tube: Angel. Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged/ £3 concessions



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 WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER


EXPRESS EXCESS


A feature length headline set at London's other quality spokenword night. With support from Dean Wilson - 'Graphically ranting street poet from Hull' - Attila the Stockbroker, and a fusion of Super-8 and spokenword from Deryl Walsh.


@ The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill. Opp. Chalk Farm Tube. Doors: 8.30pm, show 9pm. Admisson £5/ £3 concs.


www.expressexcess.co.uk



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SUNDAY 17th OCTOBER  
 
DON'T FEED THE POETS! Marlborough Theatre, Brighton.


Justin Rhyme comperes what should be a fabulous first gig of the season featuring a classy cocktail of old favourites and acts new to Brighton.

 

Tickling ivories and audience is the unassuming genius of Glen Richardson. Nevermind the wealth of famous comedians gracing the town for The Paramount Festival, Glen's deft musical parodies and fabulous flights of fancy are bound to be amongst the funniest bits of comic fayre served up in Brighton this month.

 

There's more comedy, plus poetry and a touch of the tawdry burlesque, from "Edinburgh Favourite" (The Guardian) Nathan Penlington as the Welsh-Scouse white-trash word-smith and regular host of London's top performance poetry club "Shortfuse" performs for the first time in Brighton.

 

The bill is completed by the ridiculously talented satirist, songwriter and general clever clogs Simon Clayton, who's mixture of misanthropy, melody and merciless wit is always a hit wherever he plays.

 

Plus there'll be enjoyably poetic audience participation, comedy drums from the resident comedy drummer (Mr.Will Geffin), and a possible surprise performance from The Paracetamols after their crowd pleasing debut at the Basement Bedsit weekender last Sunday.

 

Doors from 7.30pm, with the show at 7.45pm. Tickets on the door at £5/£4.

www.dontfeedthepoets.co.uk     


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SUNDAY 31ST OCTOBER


JOHN HEGLEY AND FRIENDS


THE OLD RED LION, ANGEL


The prince of performance poetry hosts a night of poetry, music and comedy. With performances from Simon Munnery, Andrew Bailey, Rachel Pantechnikon and myself it's guaranteed to be a good one. Entry is FREE, so get there early to get a seat. Show starts at 9pm.


Click here for map.


 
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