BIOGRAPHY

Previous Glastonbury Poetry Slam Champion Toby Thompson has written commissions for the RSC, the Royal Geographical Society and the National Portrait Gallery. He’s performed his work at festivals and venues including: Latitude; Wilderness; Harare international Festival of the Arts; Leipzig Book Fair; The Natural History Museum; the Royal Albert Hall and the House of Lords. 

His one man poetry and music storytelling bonanza ‘For The Record’ won the Pleasance Indie Award for Best Theatre Show at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018. His show ‘I Wish I Was A Mountain’ won the Victor Award for Best Theatre Show at Philadelphia’s IPAY Festival 2020. In 2022, Toby toured 'I Wish I Was A Mountain' to China for six months, and also to Ireland, where he received a 5 star review in The Irish Times.

PRAISE FOR TOBY

“Entrancing… The words tumble out of him like an extended jazz solo.”

— The Guardian

"Toby Thompson transforms a shipping container into a sensory escape that mirrors his poetry: heartfelt, intricate, often humorous & always evocative portraits of love. 5/5"

—  Fringe Biscuit, 5 stars

"...a wonderful gift for language, a deep sensibility and a penetrating sense of perspective." 

— Sir Ken Robinson

"Toby Thompson - an unshowy craftsman who makes words, and values, matter whatever your age."

— Herald Scotland, 5 stars

"...easily one of the most gifted young wordsmiths I have ever had the pleasure to encounter.” 

— Akala

"An exquisite escape from the noise of modern life, offering life lessons that sing through the ages." 

— Irish Times, 5 stars

“Something truly magical… Touching, captivating, and toe-tinglingly lovely… Hypnotic… Toby’s work is a joy.”

— Edinburgh Guide, 5 stars

“Toby Thompson is the future.”

— Kae Tempest