Norman Simpson

Notable Works

• A Resounding Tinkle (1957)
• One Way Pendulum (1959)
• Elementary, My Dear Watson (1973)

About

Norman Frederick ‘Wally’ Simpson was born in London and studied at Emanuel School before working as a bank clerk. During WWII, he served in the Royal Artillery and Intelligence Corps in Italy, Palestine and Cyprus. After the war, he studied English at Birkbeck College and taught in adult education for almost 20 years. In 1957, he won third prize in The Observer newspaper’s quest for new writers, led by theatre critic Kenneth Tynan. His play A Resounding Tinkle premiered in a one-act version at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in December 1957, the first of his five plays produced there, including One Way Pendulum (1959) and The Cresta Run (1965). He wrote The Form (1961) for the Arts Theatre and contributed to West End revues. In November 1976, Simpson was appointed Literary Manager of the English Stage Company at the Royal Court, where he supported new work by Barrie Keefe, Sam Shepard and Snoo Wilson.

BBC Television produced a live performance of One Way Pendulum. It was made into a 1964 film directed by Peter Yates. ITV produced A Resounding Tinkle. BBC’s Acting Assistant Head of Light Entertainment, Frank Muir, invited Simpson to write for BBC 2, and the characters of Tinkle were expanded into seven half-hour episodes. This was followed by World in Ferment (1969), a six-part current affairs parody with John Bird, Eleanor Bron, Jack Shepherd and Angela Thorne. Single TV plays included Thank You Very Much (1971), Silver Wedding (1974) and Elementary, My Dear Watson (1973). A sketch writer for Sheila Hancock, Beryl Reid and The Dick Emery Show, in all, N. F. Simpson wrote all or part of 57 dramas. A BBC Radio 4 documentary about his life and work, Reality is an Illusion Caused by Lack of N. F. Simpson was broadcast in 2007. The Royal Court presented a rehearsed reading of a new play that same year, which also saw revivals of earlier plays at the Donmar and Union Theatres. If So, Then Yes premiered at Jermyn Street Theatre, London in 2010. Simpson died at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on 27 August 2011. NF Simpson was an RLF beneficiary as well as a supporter.

Legacy

A BBC Radio 4 documentary about his life and work presented by David Quantick, Reality is an Illusion Caused by Lack of N. F. Simpson was broadcast in 2007.

His gift of Copyright to the RLF from his literary estate helps support future generations of writers.