Biography

 

Comedy writer, performer and producer, Simon has just delivered a feature romantic comedy for Peter Shaw / UBA. Simon's strengths include comedy and dialogue.

 

With a play performed by 'Not the RSC' when he was 16, Simon Kent has been writing, producing, performing and directing for diverse production companies and media over many years. With strengths in comedy and drama he has performed his own material on stage and TV and directed award nominated short films. Currently engaged on numerous projects, including writing a romantic comedy feature film script for a UK producer, his comedy skills have been recognised by the BBC and Channel 4. His two-hander 'Coach' made the short list of the BBC's sitcom talent initiative in 2004 and he was featured by the Television Arts Performance Showcase two years running, first for the sitcom 'His N Hers', earning a nomination for comedy writer of the year in 2002, and then for his début short film 'The Orange Tree' which he also directed. The latter has been screened around the UK, attracting a nomination for best film at the Leicester Short Film Festival, Can2003, and taking up residency on the BBC's Film network website. Previous original TV series ideas have received interest from independent production companies, the BBC and Sky. A one-time regular on the London stand-up circuit and semi-finalist in Channel 4's Edinburgh competition So You Think You're Funny, Simon is frequently called upon to write material for presentations and after dinner speeches. Simon has written several books on careers and also works as a freelance journalist and copywriter.

 

 

Full Credits:

 

Screenplays:

 

2006              

FAITHFULLY YOURS

Romantic comedy feature: in development with United British Artists

 

2005              

NOBODY REALLY KNEW HIM

Short film: 8 mins: Aside Productions: Devised and directed short comedy based on actor's improvisations

 

2005  

PROTEST

Short film: 90 secs: Aside Productions: Screened around UK as part of Super Shorts festival

 

2004              

BANKERS

Sitcom proposal: Based in world of merchant banking

 

2003              

DATES

Sitcom proposal: a real-time sitcom of blind dates

 

2002              

THE ORANGE TREE

Short film: 6 mins:  Aside Productions: Also directed: Stars Justin Edwards: member of sketch team THE CONSULTANTS: winners of The Perrier Newcomers Award 2002

 

2002              

HIS 'N' HERS

Sitcom based on young cohabiting couple: She's career woman, he's trying to be a professional musician: Selected for workshop and showcase at TAPS 2002: Directed by Esta Charkham at The Polish Centre, Hammersmith: Shortlisted for TAPS Comedy Writing Award

 

2000 / 1         

SEEING BY WIRELESS

Sitcom: Plantagenet Productions: Co-writer on team written sitcom set in the first TV studios, Alexandra Palace

 

2000              

ALL THIS USELESS FREEDOM

Concept: 'What Happens after The Full Monty': A pop group which brought together four friends slowly deteriorates as the pressures of growing up are felt

 

1998              

THE WORD FACTORY

Concept: a mix of THIS LIFE (- lawyers) NORTHERN EXPOSURE a bunch of arty people: original drama series based around cafe and arts centre

 

1997              

R:D (RE:DEVELOPMENT)

Drama series set around a documentary camera crew recording personal histories from a Manchester housing estate under going redevelopment

 

Other Selected Writing / Performance Work:

 

2004                

Resident comedian on FIRST TIME BUYER'S WEEKEND, UKTV Style: wrote and performed two 5-minute short films

 

2004                

COACH

Two-hander radio sitcom based around business coaching: Shortlisted for BBC's Two Timing competition

 

2003 - Present     

Speech writer commissioned by the London Speaker Bureau: Clients include Natasha Kaplinski and Claudia Winkleman

 

2003

NINE ONE ONE

Stage play based on Sept 11th 2001. Written for Public Domain productions, director Chris Jury.

 

2001                     

THE MAYOR OF BALHAM

Contributing writer for BBC pilot radio comedy show featuring Arthur Smith

 

1999-2001          

Stand-up Comedian

Write and perform comedy banjo ukulele act on comedy circuit: So You Think You're Funny Semi-Finalist: 1999, Gilded Balloon: Edinburgh Festival: Resident act at weekly Laughing Horse Club in London March - Dec 2001: Paid 20-mins at venues around UK

 

1999                  

 Ampersand Productions

Co-wrote and performed Jungle Jeremy: winning entry of Theatre Royal Stratford East / Ken Hill musical play award: Performed at arts festival, Northamptonshire: Also wrote runner up entry Magnesium Man for same competition

 

1996-98              

State of Space Theatre Company     

Worked as writer, deviser and producer on site-specific theatre work with London company: A Strange Area for Negotiation and Sitelines: performed on local Connex trains from Peckham Rye to Crystal Palace

 

1992-94              

Index Theatre

Manchester experimental theatre company: Work included paddling a Canadian Kayak on Manchester Canal during a 24-hour performance

 

1991-94              

Comedy Cabaret

Wrote and performed in Headline Cabaret: news review show: Also performed banjo songs and performance poetry around Manchester venues

 

1985-7                 

Not the RSC

Monologue The Shop Assistant featured in showcase at Stratford and Newcastle: Also performed as lunch time show at the Kings Head Pub, Islington

 

Freelance Journalism:

 

1992 - Present

Contributor to various titles including: THE GUARDIAN, HEALTH DIRECTOR,

PERSONNEL TODAY and Theatre Editor for KIDS OUT magazine: 1999-2001

 

Author of Books: pub. Kogan Page: WHAT NEXT AFTER UNIVERSITY?

GETTING A TOP JOB IN THE ARTS AND MEDIA, ODD JOBS (1st & 2nd Editions)

 

Also writer of marketing and advertorial copy for organisations including IBM, Deloitte & Touche and Apple Macintosh

 

Education:

 

1987 - 1991

BA Double Honours in English and Drama: 2.1 and 1st respectively: University of

Manchester

 

 

 

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