I've delivered talks and served as an on-stage MC/interviewer for over two decades. I've also delivered public and private walking tours for select clients around Northern Ireland.
My specialties are the strange and macabre, local history topics, film and popular culutre, horror, and mental health. I'm always open to exploring new ideas and creating a bespoke presentation for your group or event. Below is a partial list of potential talks, with new ones to be added. If you don't see what you're looking for below, please do contact me.
I try to keep my events informative and entertaining, with an interactive element.
Some of the topics of previous talks include: ghosts and the supernatural; megalithic Ireland; death & memory; Titanic; mental health issues (depression, suicide, surving domestic abuse); the history of Hammer Films; Dracula; the links between comedy and mental health; film censorship; photography & memory.
Please contact me direct with booking enquiries and for fees.
Seen & Unseen - A Journey Through the Weird and Macabre of NI
Join me, Robert JE Simpson, as your storyteller for Seen & Unseen – a journey through the weird and macabre in Northern Ireland.
Traces of the past are all around us. I cast my unique eye over our forgotten past – bringing the hidden history and folklore back to life as he explores tales of the strange and supernatural. From bloodthirsty highwaymen, ghostly hauntings, to vengeful Vikings and peculiar objects.
Each edition of Seen & Unseen features a fresh mix of tales, and audiences are encouraged to examine the evidence.
If you've seen any of my creepy tales on social media, this is the sort of thing you get in this show.
Duration: 60-90 mins
Recommended age: 14+
A Comedy of Madness
The heritage of comedy is a troubled one – littered with the shells of those whose genius is inextricably linked with mental health struggles. From Spike Milligan to Marty Feldman, Tony Hancock to Stephen Fry, Kenneth Williams to Robin Williams, their comedy pushed boundaries while they struggled in their private life.
From sectioning to suicide, debasement to depression, this show explores the genius and instability of some of our comedy legends. Of changing attitudes to mental health language and treatment and the challenges of owning conditions of the mind in the public gaze.
[Early versions of this show were produced with my friend, England-based comedy historian Robert Ross. Unless requested, booking for this would be as a solo show with me, Robert JE Simpson only]
Duration: 60-90 mins
Recommended age: 14+