An accomplished performance poet, comic and compere with appeal for both children and adults, Justin's "Don't Feed the Poets!" spoken word cabaret show has long been at the forefront of the Brighton's live literature scene, enthusiastically endorsed by Brighton's cultural weekly The Insight as "always brilliant".

Funny, lively and energetic, he is a regular and popular performer in both primary and secondary schools where he also runs workshops on writing and performance skills.

In addition to his high octane one day school visits, Justin has worked with children on varied long-term creative projects, such as his recent collaboration with Creative Partnerships and Glyndebourne Opera, where he inspired eleven Year 6 classes to write lyrics for a forthcoming piece of musical theatre.

Other commissions have included writing a series of contemporary Canterbury Tales for children, producing a supporting workbook and CD which toured schools in ten British cities as part of The European City of Culture Friend-Ship Project.

Justin is also currently preparing to tour "The Jumble Book", a daring new audience interactive show all about a boy with dyslexia, featuring poetry, comedy, drawing, music and some slightly ridiculous dance.

He continues to collaborate with his partner in rhyme Paul Stones on the interactive Olympian game-show "The World Word Championships", a manic mixture of drama, spoken word and sport, suitable for Key stages 1 and 2.

Justin offers:

• 20 - 45 minute performance for all key stages
• Three one hour (approx) writing workshops

The Jumble Book

Justin Coe is booking for a libraries and small theatres national tour of The Jumble Book, his full length one person show about a dyslexic boy who dreams of writing a book, for March - August 2010.

An entertaining and highly interactive show, it is also very suitable for key stage 2 audience in schools but will need a PA and projection facilities (for illustrations - by artist Ed Boxall - and soundtrack).

The cost (which includes an additional actor/technician) is £500 plus travel/accomodation where necessary and covers up to two performances in a day, or one performance and additional workshops.

“The story helped me understand more about dyslexia. Children and men and women of all ages would enjoy it”

Pupil from Hillcrest School, Hastings.  

“The Jumble Book was perfectly formed and performed, finding the balance between having fun and unearthing what it really means to be dyslexic. Thoroughly enjoyable."

Nicola Hayden, Artistic Director, Upstairs at Three and Ten, Brighton. 

The World Cup of Words

In the lead up to The World Cup, Justin can also offer a performance of sporting poems and special sport-theme World Cup of Words workshops for class size crowds for his usual fee.

“The most talented, funny, original and obliging of performance poets.”
Jenny Seaton, Hastings and St.Leonards Excellence Cluster

“A more entertaining poet for both children and adults you'd be hard-pushed to find. Justin Coe is both a gifted writer-performer, and a talented educator, who has always been a joy to work with.”
Ros Barber, Poet.

“He was fab! ...He worked tremendously hard. He did 4 performances which included poetry and songs, answered questions, ran a writing workshop and busked at break-time in order to reach the optimum number of students. In all he worked with students from ages 11-15 and attracted more during the break-time slot. We would definitely invite him back and recommend him."

Julie Frew, teacher, Oxford Community School (March 2009)

"Delivering presentations with both humour and sensitivity, Justin Coe's poetry is amongst the best in the country.”
Mike Juggins, Director, Voices From The Margins

"Fantastic energy and interactivity"

Teacher, Ernest Bevin College (June 2009)

"He made us laugh but also think...he made us show everyone what we can do and how bright we are"

Year 8 student, Chatham South School (October 2009)

No Publications Currently Available