What’s On…

Summer 2026

LITERARY LUNCH FOR HOMESTART Tuesday 9th June – I’ll be hosting and interviewing fiction writer Hannah Beckerman.  I absolutely loved talking to Hannah about her last book, “The Forgetting,” and her new book “Three Mothers” is guaranteed to be just as gripping, twisty and beautiful as the first.  Looking foward to it! 

THE BIG LUNCH Sunday 14th June 12noon – 4pm – Dudley Recreation Ground – this is a gorgeous, small but big-hearted local community festival – free to come along. Details and a timetable of acts will be available nearer the time. FAMILY-FRIENDLY

PETERBOROUGH PRESENTS Sunday 21st June 1pm – I’m performing an extended set as part of this city-wide festival. It’s free and you can book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-poetry-songs-and-silliness-with-jude-simpson-at-chaat-and-chill-tickets-1988906796769 FAMILY-FRIENDLY

POETRY SHACK Thursday 25th June 8pm – Candid Arts, North London. I’ll be performing a set at the very last who at this often-chaotic, frequently extraordinary, always big-hearted poetry club – with William Wyld and Martin Rowson, hosted by Jack Shamash. Details and tickets here: https://www.candidartslondon.com/product/25th-june-7-0pm-the-poetry-shack/243

CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION THEATRE – “WORDS IN PROGRESS” Monday 13th July, 7.30pm– be there at the beginning of my new show!!! This evening will be an informal performance of some newer pieces (a few old favourites thrown in) and some growing ideas which will feed into the development of my new show for adults, “Anticipation of Hindsight”. I’m really excited to be presenting some themes that I’ve been mulling over, and to get your feedback as I start to shape the new show, which will start touring in 2027. Come along and be part of the process!! Tickets are “Pay What You Feel” from £5 – https://www.junction.co.uk/events/jude-simpson-words-in-progress/

HILTON FEAST Thursday 23rd July – 5pm – Hilton Hotel, Cambridge – I’ll be doing a 40-minute set of poetry and song at this amazing local festival.  Looking forward to it!  Links to come. FAMILY-FRIENDLY

SCARGILL HOUSE, NORTH YORKSHIRE – Sunday 2nd August – I’m performing and doing a Q&A in the evening for SUMMERFEST at Scargill House – a Christian retreat and holiday centre. Summerfest is billed as a ” fabulous variety of visiting artists, concerts, youth and children’s work, creative workshops, Bible teaching, chat shows, late night extras, chapel services and outdoor activities.” More info and tickets here: https://scargillmovement.org/visit/

THE BIG CHURCH FESTIVAL Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August -Wiston Estate, West Sussex – I’m confirmed for the Big Church Festival – as usual, I’ll be co-hosting the Poetry Slam, and then competing in the “Bless-Offs”  – if you’re going to be there, please do come along to the Spoken Word tent and support!!

NOTE: if a gig is labelled “FAMILY-FRIENDLY” then it’s designed for families with children aged 6+ and is suitable for any age. As for other gigs, my material is generally family-friendly, but these will be more suited to age 13+. However, I can’t speak for other performers at the same gig – please contact me if you’re unsure or want more guidance.

Autumn 2026

Saturday 26th September – SAVE THE DATE for a big celebration performance as I bow out of my role as Poet in Residence with Homestart, Royston, after ten wonderful years. This will be a cabaret-style event with a bar and nibbles, performances by me, and lots of testimonials and memories to celebrate. Taking place in Royston as part of the town’s wonderful Arts Festival. Early bird tickets are coming soon – do keep an eye here as I’ll post the link as soon as I get it, or message me if you’d like me to let you know when it goes public. xx

Past performances:

Spring 2026

LEICESTER – UK KIDS COMEDY FESTIVAL A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 15th February 4pm – Soft Touch Arts, 50 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TF Book here

EXETER LIBRARY (Devon) A NOISE ANNOYS Wednesday 18th February 2.30pm SOLD OUT – Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PQ Book here for Theatre In The Library

CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 22nd February 11.30am and 2pm SOLD OUT – Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX Book here

Homestart Literary Lunch – Tuesday 24th February 12.15pm – Literary Lunch for Homestart – The Old Bull Inn, Royston – I will be hosting and interviewing murder mystery writer Katy Watson. Book here!

Private lounge gig – Friday 13th March evening

Friday 20th March – I’ll be calling in to the Abbey hub to talk books and writing with the lovely community there who organise the Big Lunch.

Homestart’s Got Talent – fundraising event – Saturday 28th March in Royston – I’ll be hosting and compering this fun afternoon of local talent.

THE WAKES, OAKENGATES, TELFORD A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 29th March 2pm – Theatre Square, Telford TF2 6EP – with Arts Alive. Book here

SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE A NOISE ANNOYS Monday 30th March 10.30am – Market St, Craven Arms SY7 9RS – with Arts Alive.

LIGHTWOODS HOUSE (Birmingham) A NOISE ANNOYS Tuesday 7th April 11am and 1.30pm – Adkins Lane, Bearwood, B67 5DP – shows at 11am and 1.30pm. Tickets from just £3! With Black Country Touring – Book here

WARE LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Wednesday 8th April 10.30am – Ware Library, Hertfordshire, SG12 9BA – Book here

HITCHIN LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Wednesday 8th April 3pm – Hitchin Library, Paynes Park, Hitchin SG5 1EW – Book here

NORTH WATFORD LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Thursday 9th April 10.30am – North Watford Library, Hertfordshire, WD24 7RW – Book here

ST ALBANS LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Thursday 9th April 3pm – St Albans Library, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JQ – Book here

HODDESDON LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Friday 10th April 10.30am – Hoddesdon Library, Hertfordshire, EN11 8HD – Book here

BISHOP’S STORTFORD LIBRARY A NOISE ANNOYS Friday 10th April 3pm – Bishop’s Stortford Library, Hertfordshire, CM23 2EJ – Book here

CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 26th April, 2pm. SOLD OUT

BRISTOL WARDROBE THEATRE A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 3rd May 2pm – Book here

GOTHERINGTON OLD CHAPEL (Gloucs) A NOISE ANNOYS Saturday 9th May 3pm – Malleson Rd, Gotherington, Cheltenham GL52 9ER – with “Air In G” rural touring. Book here

LINTON CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (Cambs) A NOISE ANNOYS Sunday 17th May – 11.15am. Book here: https://lintonbookfest.org/events/jude-simpson/

LUTON Saturday 23rd May 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, LU1 4LX. By arrangement with The Culture Trust, Luton https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/noise-annoys

NOTE: if a gig is labelled “FAMILY-FRIENDLY” then it’s designed for families with children aged 6+ and is suitable for any age. As for other gigs, my material is generally family-friendly, but these will be more suited to age 13+. However, I can’t speak for other performers at the same gig – please contact me if you’re unsure or want more guidance.

Christmas 2025

ILFRACOMBE, DEVON LANDMARK THEATRE Saturday 13th December 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS AT CHRISTMAS!! – a new and very special festiv-ated version of the show, with added angels, elves, Santa and a very noisy nativity… Book here

LEICESTER THE Y THEATRE Sunday 14th December 4pm – I’m part of the Gala Preview for the UK Kids Comedy Festival,

PETERBOROUGH KEY THEATRE Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st December 10.30am / 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS AT CHRISTMAS!! – a new and very special festiv-ated version of the show, with added angels, elves, Santa and a very noisy nativity… Book here

Autumn 2025

ROYSTON Sunday 28th September 2.30pm – Royston Arts Festival (Herts) A NOISE ANNOYS – All ticket proceeds in support of Homestart, the family support charity.

I took part in the the Royston Book Fair too on Saturday 27th September in St John’s Parish Church. I read / performed some of my children’s poems from my book, “A Noise Annoys” – AVAILABLE HERE – and had the chance to chat to the audience. More information here: https://www.roystonbookfair.co.uk/

LAMBETH FRINGE FESTIVAL Saturday 4th October, 11am and 3pm A NOISE ANNOYS at Vauxhall City Farm. My first gig in a farm, and the first show date in London!

EXETER Friday 10th October, 10am to 12noon “M/Others on the Mic” at Exeter Library – I performed some of my grown-up material at this lovely-looking daytime get-together for parents and carers with little ones in tow. Honestly, everything about this gig was absolutely delightful – and there aren’t many opportunities to see me perform grown-up stuff in the daytime…!

DORCHESTER (DORSET) Sunday 12th October, 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS at Dorchester Arts, Dorset. Dorset is probably my favourite English county… but that’s just the icing on the cake. This is a great venue in a beautiful town.

LITTLE SHELFORD (CAMBS) Saturday 18th October, 3pm A NOISE ANNOYS at Little Shelford Memorial Hall, Cambridge, CB22 5HG, hosted by All Saints Church in Shelford. I stayed on after this show for a Q&A session for any questions the audience had about me, my inspiration, my work, my writing, my favourite colour or whether my dog is named after someone in the Christmas story!!

ST NEOTS (CAMBS) Sunday 19th October, 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS at St Neots Library, Cambridgeshire, courtesy of “The Library Presents”

CAMBRIDGE Thursday 23rd October, 4.15pm A NOISE ANNOYS at Cherry Hinton Library, Cambridge, courtesy of “The Library Presents”

Friday 24th October, evening – I performed some spoken word at The Globe in Hay-on-Wye with Rosie With Words

CARDIFF Saturday 25th October 2.30pm A NOISE ANNOYS at Parc Arts, Treforest, near Cardiff, Wales – a great way to kick off half term at this intimate community venue.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE Sunday 26th October 3pm A NOISE ANNOYS at the Front Room, Weston Super Mare. This little venue is a real gem, and well known for its welcoming attitude and inventive programming.

HEREFORD Tuesday 28th October 11am A NOISE ANNOYS at the Hereford Courtyard Theatre The history of this booking goes back to March, when the Courtyard’s Associate Director sat in when I was soundchecking for a Showcase gig organised by touring network Arts Alive, and promptly booked the show for the theatre’s family festival!! “A Noise Annoys is a really wonderful show for anyone but especially children and families. It delights in the joy of words, story and music, which Jude blends so skillfully to create a hugely enjoyable piece.” – David Durant, Associate Director, The Courtyard, Hereford.

BEDFORD Thursday 30th October 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS at The Place, Bedford. Another lovely venue in the heart of the community, and my last show before Christmas!! See the review here!

Summer – Autumn 2025

OUNDLE Saturday 26th July, 2.30pm and 4pm A NOISE ANNOYS: POP-UP VERSION at Oundle Library, Glapthorn Rd, Oundle PE8 4JA. A shortened version of the show (about 30 minutes) presented as part of Oundle Festival of Literature to launch the library’s summer reading scheme.

WORTHING Saturday 2nd August, 11am A NOISE ANNOYS in The Pavilion Atrium, Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, West Sussex – the full show, in this wonderful venue on the South Coast.

Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August BIG CHURCH FESTIVAL, Wiston House, West Sussex – I’ll be performing, hosting and slamming at the Spoken Word Tent, once again hosted by the Bible Society and marvellous Dai Woolridge. Drop by to see me host this year’s Poetry Slam and you might have the chance to take part as a judge, scoring the brave newcomers who will be performing their verses in the hope of winning the would-be-coveted-if-that-were-not-clearly-sinful crown of Big Church Slam Champion 2026! I’ll also be turning contestant again in the Bless-Offs as I pitch my own words against others to see who can bless the most socks off each other. And, I’ll be performing a set or two of my own material, so check the running order at the tent each day, and come say hi if you’re there! https://bigchurchfestival.com/lineup/jude-simpson/

Thursday 28th August, I gave a talk about my work and performance to the “Oasis” club at Comberton Baptist Church.

NEWMARKET Friday 29th August, 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS in The Stables Cafe and Community Centre, Newmarket – a really lovely local venue on Newmarket High Street, which I only found out about earlier this year!

Spring 2025

Thursday March 20th – “Off Grid” Hereford – showcase performance for Rural Touring in Hereford –

Friday March 21st – Urban Wordsmiths, Cardiff – headline spot at this legendary spoken word night curated by Dai Woolridge.

Sunday 13th April – “Book Buzz”, Arts Depot in North London –

Tuesday April 29th – the Old Bull Inn, Royston, Hertfordshire – Literary Lunch for Homestart, featuring novelist and poet Ruth Leigh.

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May, 2pm –A NOISE ANNOYS at Peterborough Key Theatre. The full family show, presented in the Studio Theatre and BOOK LAUNCH! .

Thursday 8th May,7.30pm Two Sisters Arts Centre, near Felixstowe – a spoken word set, supporting Luke Wright’s solo spoken word show “JOY” – Luke is one of the UK’s finest spoken word performers.

Saturday 10th May, 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS , Baldock, Herts – the full show, performed as part of Baldock Festival at St Mary’s Church Hall.

Sunday 18th May, 2pm A NOISE ANNOYS , Orwell, Cambs – the full show, performed in Orwell Village Hall, South Cambridgeshire.

Saturday 7th June, 11.30am and 2.30pm, A NOISE ANNOYS Sudbury, Suffolk – the full show, performed in the Quay Theatre.

Sunday 8th June “The Big Lunch” Dudley Road Park, Cambridge

Winter 2024/5

Tuesday 18th February – “Twilight at the Museum,” Cambridge – poetry performance for kids and families, Fitzwilliam Museum 5pm in the Italian Gallery FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Friday 21st February – “Luton’s Feb Fest” – performance at Luton Hat Factory’s Half Term Festival 12pm in the basement FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Saturday 1st March – I’m hosting a concert of local choirs and musicians for Homestart, Royston