Alan Simpson (theatre director)

Alan Simpson (1920–1980) was an Irish theatre director.

Simpson was born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of Walter Simpson, a Church of Ireland clergyman. He was called-up to the army in 1941. In 1945 he transferred onto the army reserve and joined the Gate Theatre, Dublin as stage manager. With his wife Carolyn Swift he opened the Dublin Pike Theatre in 1953. The first production was The Quare Fellow by Brendan Behan. The most controversial production was The Rose Tattoo for the Dublin Theatre Festival. He subsequently worked at the Abbey Theatre.

Simpson divorced his first wife, Carolyn Swift. He then married Irish actress, Eileen Colgan. Simpson and Colgan remained together until his death in 1980.