Toby Thompson is an 18-year-old boy beating his path to manhood; his poetry is an attempt at communicating that journey. His writing style is born of a love affair he once had with Hip-Hop, they’re still good friends but he shies away from the term rapper. In his spare time Toby is a closet pianist, his future is as musical as it is poetic.
Toby has been commissioned to write and perform for the Royal Shakespeare Company a number of times, showing his work at the Swan in Stratford, the House Of Lords and Camden Roundhouse. Festival appearances include Camp Bestival, Boom Town, Camden Crawl, Edinburgh Fringe, Cheltenham Literary Festival and Shambala. In 2011 Toby was crowned the Glastonbury Poetry Slam Champ.
“Toby is easily one of the most gifted young wordsmiths I have ever had the pleasure to encounter, but what’s more he has the discipline and confidence of a seasoned pro ten years his senior. His humility and hunger to learn mean he is certain to maximize his already abundant talents, you will hear more from him.”
– Akala“Toby Thompson is the future”
– Kate Tempest
