Marvin Thompson was born in London to Jamaican parents. He has an MA in Creative Writing from Middlesex University and currently teaches English to secondary school children in mountainous south Wales.
He was one of three poets selected by The Poetry School and Nine Arches Press for the ‘Primers Volume 2: Mentoring Scheme’. Reviewers have described Marvin’s work as ‘dramatic,’ ‘energetic,’ and a ‘virtuoso performance.’ Other publication credits include: The Poetry Review, Poetry Wales and Red (Peepal Tree Press).
In 2017, Marvin Thompson won third place in Ambit Magazine’s international poetry competition. In 2019, his magical-realist war poem, ‘The Many Reincarnations of Gerald, Oswald Archibald Thompson’ was submitted by Long Poem Magazine for the Forward Prize for Best Poem.
Marvin’s debut poetry collection, Road Trip, will be published by Peepal Tree Press in March 2020.
Project Name: Performance Poetry
Project Location: London
About the Project:
Marvin Thompson will use the Platforming Under-represented Writers funding to shadow the renowned performance poet and actress, Debris Stevenson. This will include meeting and shadowing her before and after her performance of Poet in Da Corner at the Royal Court Theatre. Through this activity, Marvin aims to gain knowledge on techniques in relation to performance poetry, and stage presence.
Deborah ‘Debris’ Stevenson is a dyslexic writer, Grime poet, working class-academic, pansexual ex-Mormon and Bashment dancing social activist from East London and Essex. Debris has no choice but to explore the intersectional, unexpected and unjust – it’s not just who she is, it’s her responsibility in a world that all too often summarises us into a caption.
Poet in Da Corner, which Debris wrote with Grime MC, Jammz and stared in, received 4-5 stars across the board and saw Debris nominated for an Emerging Talent of The Year Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
What you hope to achieve through this project?
“Through shadowing a professional performance poet, I aim to hone my skills as a reader and performer of my own poetry. I hope to be able to engage audiences with my words.”
What impact do you think the opportunity will have on your career as a writer/artist?
“By developing my performance poetry skills, I will open myself up to a range of different projects and opportunities. These could include performance poetry events, readings and even one-person shows.”