SIMPSON, N.F.

born Jan. 29, 1919, London, Eng. in full Norman Frederick Simpson English playwright who achieves spectacular verbal effects by his cunning manipulation of phrasing, his frequent use of outrageous double entendre and, especially, of non sequitur. Simpson was educated at the University of London, and during World War II he served in the Intelligence Corps. After the war he taught and worked in adult education as an assistant lecturer in English until 1962. Simpson's first play, A Resounding Tinkle (1957), illustrates his style of humour. One Way Pendulum (performed 1959), Simpson's most successful work, revolves about a man who builds a model in his living room of London's famous criminal court, the Old Bailey, and finds himself in its dock. Simpson's other works include The Hole (performed 1964), The Cresta Run (performed 1966), and Was He Anyone? (1973). He also wrote for television.