I have given my talks in a wide range of venues including theatres, village halls, pubs, clubs, restaurants and private homes. The atmosphere is informal and sometimes the talks have been given between courses at a meal. 

In a review in the Christchurch Press, Christopher Moore wrote, ‘Simon Acland is essentially a man of words with an inquisitive eye which continually searches out the familiar, the extraordinary and the whimsical.’

My talks include

‘Hello! Where are you from?’

This talk was developed from my radio broadcasts. It includes stories of travel, a New Zealand childhood and of being a parish priest. 

“He has an effectively simple style of performing”  Barry Grant in the Christchurch Star.

The show ran for a week and was sold out.

Since then I have given this talk at other venues in New Zealand and in London, most recently at the White Bear Theatre Club in Kennington.

‘Becoming New Zealanders’

Through family stories I show something of the Maori and European settlement of New Zealand, it’s history and its development. First performed in New Zealand it was also performed at the Arts Club in Dover Street, London in 2005 I tell stories of journeys and new beginnings and the relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

‘Is the time quickly coming when the New Zealander shall supplant the Englishman in the history of the civilization of the world?’ 

Anthony Trollope, 1855.

“For Simon’s radio fans I give this talk 11 out of 10” Roger Hall, playwright.

‘It’s Part of the Ageing Process’

These, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, often thoughtful,  stories of getting old were given as part of a lunchtime series of talks at the White Bear Theatre Club in Kennington.

‘Thinking Aloud’

Stories from around the world gathered together to suit a particular location or event.

I have given my talks in different venues in Canterbury, New Zealand, including St Michael’s School, the Dunsandel Store, the Peel Forest Store and the Café Verde in Geraldine for ‘Becoming New Zealanders’. I was at the Timaru Public Library for ‘Hello! Where are you from?’ and at the Mt John Observatory Café to help raise money for the Tekapo Primary School. In London, as well as the White Bear Theatre Club I have given talks at the ChelseaFestival, at the Arts Club in London’s Mayfair and at Charterhouse near Smithfield.