SIMON TALBOT
THOUGHTFUL INTERPRETATION FOR CURIOUS MINDS
Guided by humanity, written with personality, and committed to the power of the story
Turning complexity into clarity
Shaping narrative direction
Refining visitor journeys
Writing with creativity and warmth
Respecting inteligence,
Understanding sensitivities
Making memorable connections
SELECTED PROJECTS
LANDMARKS & HERITAGE
The Nabatean Tombs of Hegra - Saudi Arabia
Multimedia interpretation for Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site and the heritage landscapes of AlUla Oasis, Khaybar, and Tayma.
MUSEUMS & MASTERPIECES
The Louvre Abu Dhabi - Hajj: Memories of a Journey
Audio guide for major temporary exhibition on the Hajj pilgrimage, weaving treasured human stories into an engaging and culturally nuanced personal journey.
CULTURE & EXPERIENCE
National Gallery,London - Teach Your Grown-Ups About Art
Family audio tour inverting the parent-child dynamic. Children armed with hidden facts teach adults about iconic paintings.
Museums and Heritage Award nominee.
Taj Mahal & The Red Fort - Agra, India
Immersive audio narratives exploring India’s premier UNESCO landmarks. Blending romantic architectural grandeur with Mughal military history.
Windsor Castle, London - Waterloo 200
Official audio interpretation for the Royal Collection commemorating the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. Human stories of courage and conflict brought to life.
The Last Supper - Milan, Italy
A specialised children’s narrative, gamifying the viewing experience by transforming young visitors into detectives, uncovering clues of betrayal within the famous painting.
BACKGROUND
I’ve spent the past two decades helping museums, galleries, and heritage sites around the world bring their stories to life through narrative audio.
A genuine lover of history, art and popular culture, I believe audiences get the most from interpretive content that connects them emotionally to people, times and places.
My experience in broadcasting , voice acting and the mechanics of audio production informs my writing - ensuring natural pacing, clarity, and delivery that feels accessible and authentic .
WHAT I DO
I work with museums, heritage sites, and cultural organisations to turn fascinating, complex, and often challenging narratives into engaging stories that visitors can connect with and enjoy.
My role isn’t solely that of a writer; much of what I do happens before a word is tapped on a keyboard. I think about the whole visitor experience - who is it for? What will they want to know? What will they find fun or engaging? How will they navigate the space? How should they feel after they’ve left?
I’m usually involved at the beginning of a project, although when existing interpretation is considered dense, fragmented or overly academic, I can help with refocusing the narrative – making it more streamlined without compromising curatorial standards.
Grounded in collaborative research and shaped by years of observing how real audiences respond - along with a broadcaster’s instinct for what makes good audio - I help teams create interpretation that feels welcoming, intelligent and accessible.
The result is work that invites curiosity, encourages engagement and creates lasting connections.
I work across:
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Narrative Direction and Content Development
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Audio and Multimedia Experiences
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Exhibition interpretation
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Interpretive Scripts
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Script Revision & Strategy
HOW I WORK
Starting as a Visitor
A new site is as exciting for me as it is for anyone else, so I begin by experiencing it as a visitor - noting down details that interest me, questions that I want answered, and if anything feels difficult to access or is confusing.
At the same time, I’m observing those around me, seeing how they move through the space and what engages them.
Listening and Learning
I listen carefully to curators, stakeholders, staff and volunteers to understand the site, its stories and their enthusiasm.
We discuss the vision they want to convey – and any challenges or sensitivities that need to be considered.
Together, we then map out a cohesive visitor journey.
Writing and Collaborating
With the narrative arc in place, I write for the ear - drawing on BBC broadcasting experience for natural pacing and emotional resonance.
My focus is on delivering an honest, balanced, and humane version of events and individuals - exploring complexity without lecturing, and presenting people and histories without unfair reverence or blame.
Visitors deserve interpretation that respects their intelligence and is grounded in academic research, not political fashion or trending narratives.
Throughout the process, I work closely in collaboration with the interpretation team – no one knows the site better than they do.
WHY HUMAN WRITING MATTERS
It’s not surprising that museums and cultural organisations are exploring the use of automated tools. AI can be a real asset - helping teams handle increasing workloads, repurpose existing content, and reach even more visitors.
But the kind of interpretation that really engages people - that feels alive, honest, and full of meaning - still depends on attributes that (so far) only human writers possess.
AI can synthesise facts at eye-watering speed, but it can’t feel them, so much of the content it produces can sound somewhat ‘flat’ or ‘robotic.’
Human-led interpretation stands out precisely because it isn't homogeneous. It carries the humour, empathy, and dramatic instincts of an individual writer who understands what it means to feel, the emotions that make us who we are.
Someone who can read a room, understand cultural sensitivities, appreciate when restraint may be needed – or the opposite - and when a moment requires space in which to breathe.
Writing age-appropriate material that can make kids actually laugh while they learn, or group experiences that encourage people to work together, have conversations and feel connected.
All these shape how a story is experienced.
WHO I WORK WITH
Institutions & Heritage Sites
I partner with museums, galleries, heritage sites, cultural institutions and public collections – weaving rigorous academic research into visceral visitor experiences.
I consider the audience, the space, the values, and the narrative - presenting it honestly, with balance and humanity, so it remains powerful and resonant for years to come.
Production & Design Studios
For two decades, I’ve collaborated with specialist interpretation producers including Antenna International, Acoustiguide, Imagineear and Orpheo.
I’m very comfortable working within multidisciplinary teams, whether it’s early concept brainstorming, building narrative structure, scriptwriting, or strategy development.
I adapt my role to the needs of each project.
Curators, & Project Leads
I work closely with interpretation teams throughout each project.
Sometimes that means acting as a creative sounding board; sometimes it’s developing a narrative structure and a script. I understand the vision, ask hard questions, propose ideas, and respond quickly if anything changes.
I see my role as a collaborator, not a vendor. I care about the outcome because I love what I do and ultimately, I'm accountable for it.
FEES & AVAILABILITY
I appreciate that every project is different, so I keep fees transparent and proposals straightforward.
Bespoke Project Fees
Fees are project-based and scaled to reflect the scope and level of involvement required. I provide clear, comprehensive proposals once a project brief is defined, ensuring that costs are transparent from the outset.
Consultancy & Travel
Where projects require site visits or international travel, expenses are agreed upon in advance and billed separately. This allows for flexibility, whether the work is handled remotely or as an on-site creative partner.
Enquiries & Bookings
I am currently accepting commissions for 2026. For a preliminary discussion regarding your project, availability, or to request a proposal, please reach out directly using the form below.
© Simon Talbot 2026