Hello, and welcome to By The Factory Wall. Here you will find words, videos and audio by me, Richard Purnell. And some pictures – here’s me looking thoughtful below.

About Richard Purnell

I write poetry, stories and opinion pieces which mix the satirical, political and personal. To find out more, check out my video and audio links above, and my regular(ish) blog updates. If you are on Twitter, you can follow me @richardpurnell. For bookings and all other enquiries email me at richardpurnell1@gmail.com.

I host and curate The Bus Driver’s Prayer, an offbeat variety night of music, poetry and comedy at Kahaila Cafe on Brick Lane, alongside Andrew Brown and Anthony Fairweather.

I have written and performed three comic poetry shows with Gary From Leeds, one at the Camden Fringe, the other two at the Edinburgh Fringe. I have been published in The Herald, Londonist.com, South Bank Poetry, The Alarmist and The Morning Star, and performed my poetry on BBC London and Resonance FM.

Currently, I am developing, with director Kellie Tori, a Wagnerian story cycle about bubble baths. (This is actually true.)

Oh yes, I should mention that I grew up in Essex, have lived in Leicester and Hastings, and now live in London.

Reviews / Quotes

“Snappy, humorous yet seriously thoughtful spoken word.” Broadway Baby

“Flow, bite and panache in equal measure.” Nottingham Post

“Charming and real” Londonist

“Unmistakable quality” Fringe Review

“Charismatic, dry-witted, Essex-born Richard Purnell entertained children and adults alike” Zena Edwards, Poetic Debaters Project