N.F. Simpson: Dead

[Guest]

The long-lived English avant-gardeist has finally made his exit:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/aug/31/nf-simpson-obituary

[aeolium]

Thanks for the obituary link, Mandryka.

I seem to recall a feature on N F Simpson on R3 (or R4?) some years back. I wish R3 would mount one of his radio plays on Do3 - his work has been unjustly neglected, imo (in fact the whole genre of absurdist drama has been sadly neglected over the last decade or so).

RIP.

[Chris Newman]

N. F. Simpson's brand of humour is much in need of revival as aeolium rightly says.
The links with the Cambridge Footlights is proof enough of his worthiness.

RIP

[Al R Gando]

"5,000 red indians – optional"

One-Way Pendulum is one of the strangest plays I've ever read. A unique voice in British theatre.

[Dave2002]

Another link with my past. I was once involved in a production of a Simpson play, the one with the Hallelujah chorus, and the speak your weight machines. Can't for the life of me remember what it was all about. I assisted with some of the sound effects. I think we had a cuckoo clock amongst other things. Seemed fun at the time.

[gurnemanz]

We greatly enjoyed the Donmar revival of NF Simpson's one acters a few years ago with Peter Capaldi (Malcolm - Thick of It - Tucker). I also went to Emanuel School - before it went fee-paying in the 70s (btw, in Wandsworth, not in Battersea, as stated in the Grauniad obit). We had the legendary Jack Cuddon for English O level and to great hilarity he got us to act out some of Simpson's stuff during lessons.