Introducing: Toby Campion

Back to perform with us is Toby Campion, 12:35-13:00 Friday; 17:40-18:05 Sunday. If he’s new to you/ you’d like a reminder, read on:

In his own words:

“Toby Campion is a UK Poetry Slam Champion and a World Poetry Slam finalist. His debut short collection, Through your Blood, was longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and his poetry was Highly Commended in the Forward Poetry Prizes 2019. Having toured the UK extensively, Toby has performed around the world, from South Korea and Albania, and his work has been featured on the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show with Jonathan Ross, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 and more. Artistic Director of UniSlam and founder of the National Youth Poetry Showcase, Toby was one of the first resident poets of the River Thames.”

Fay’s words:

The first time I saw Toby perform was at Other Voices Spoken Word Cabaret, Edinburgh Fringe 2013. He’d stepped up to our accidentally extended open mic, a seemingly very nervous, slightly fragile young man with ice-blonde hair, a student in Edinburgh who looked incredibly young to my eyes (especially in the uncertain light of our murky venue). He then proceeded to blow everyone’s minds with the sheer power and beauty of his words (including the ThreeWeeks reviewer, who gave us five stars – I can’t imagine that was a coincidence!). Since then I’ve seen him repeatedly wow audiences in slams and features, mostly at Edinburgh Fringe, but also – happily for me – as a recent feature touring at Hammer & Tongue Cambridge. His stagecraft is immaculate, and he’s a generous and powerful performer who touches on a wide range of topics – only growing stronger in writing and performance over the past six years. I’m really looking forward to seeing him, and watching new audiences enjoy his work at the Festival!

Sneak preview:

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