Harry Zevenbergen is a performancepoet from The Hague (The Netherlands), who for years now is active writing, publishing, making music and performing. The performances of Harry Zevenbergen contain poetry, poetry with (live-)music and short stories. He is a poet who mixes humour and very emotional poetry. In a high pace political statements, sharp observation,a heartfelt tear and hilaric absurdism are alternated. In his performance Harry puts the borders between stand-up comedy, cabaret and the fine art of poetry to the test. Regular themes in his work are (fear of losing) ideals, love, death, social injustice, holidays. As a performer Harry proved he can entertain all kinds of audiences. From a hardcorehouse gathering to a bunch of pensioners and from punkrockers to the poetryloving elite

In the past eight years Harry did about 600 performances, including 100 performances in England and Scotland (doing over ten tours). He did his performances in pubs, rock venues, youth centres, studentunions, literary events, bookshops, museums, schools, small theatres, folkfestivals, with all kinds of bands, the Rhenen City museum, a counsil hall, restaurants and at festivals like the Edinburgh fringe, the Bath fringe, the Brighton festival and the United Nations of Football festival.

QUOTES

Attila the Stockbroker: “I don't agree with everything Harry says, but his words are humourously and satirically effective and he's managed to translate his concepts into English which is a stunning achievement. In Dutch he is obviously very funny. In English weirdly provocative. But always warm and real."

Review of my performance at the Hydrogen Jukebox, Darlington 12/11/02

Apparently, Harry's surname translates as Seven Mountains - this could account for not only the size of the man (huge) but also for the size of his performance talent - colossal.  Language was no barrier as, together with two other sad eyed boys from the lowlands (Tjeerd Bruinja and Sieger M Geertsma), he took the Hydrogen Jukebox Cabaret by storm.  The mainly young audience lapped up his full-on performance style, which knocked on the head once and for all any lingering notion that poetry is for sad intellectuals with no real idea of what's happening in the world.  Two of many memorable moments: Harry berating his cat for his carnivorous tendencies and the description of parents in a park losing patience with the children's entertainer.  Humour with an important social bite, delivered with style. Come back and see us again Harry!

 Jo Colley (Co-Director of Hydrogen Jukebox)

Haagse Courant on Wordup Touchdown (Harry’s show with Pink Sly mixing poetry and dancemusic): “poetry for modern times”

Seething Wells: “It’s good you’re bashing the vegans, keep on doing so”

Haagse Courant on his footballpoetry: “subtle play upon words ”

Manic Mark in the Jubelkrant: “baffling convincing power”

Haags nieuwsblad: “funny, subtle and absurdist”

Pink Sly: “Harry’s humour is dry as the Sahara in summer”

Dedemsvaartse Courant: “with tender stories, anecdotes and sharp humor Harry softened and shocked his audience” “with Harry the borders between poetry and stand-up comedy are vague, between the tree and the calm it sounded special”