Hegley is a funny bugger. He writes hilariously witty, off-the-wall poetry, sings, plays ukulele and even dances at this show, but despite the audience laughing their socks off, he never smiles. Oh, except once when we were all singing, badly but with enthusiasm - and his face cracked a bit.

But despite that he works the crowd (smaller than I expected) like the pro he is and he is very, very funny. His poetry is unlike any other and his serious, thoughtful stuff is poignant.

He warmed us up at Bolton Community College at the Live From Worktown festival with a singalong in a tribute to the Luton bungalow of his childhood and then read poems from his “I Am A Poetato” A-Z for children (and adults). Alligator, Peter the Parrot and  a lovely one about his daughter’s lunchbox were terrific, but my favourite was ‘Wise Camel’ about the animal carrying the fourth wise man who followed the wrong star, missed the birth of Jesus and had a quiet Christmas. Genius.

Throw in the spotty zebra and you’ve got the perfect gift for a child. I bought a copy for the kids in my school reading support group to enjoy (but I’m keeping it for me.)

Hegley started his second set with a bit of baroque dancing with reluctant members of the audience – and why not. But then  he read ‘A Lean Towards The Light’ about trying to do the right thing by making small changes, be it objecting to slavery or doing your recycling:

 

     Mister William Wordsworth won’t take sugar in his porridge.

     He takes honey.

     It’s not to do with the money

     Or the flavour

     As much as the moral objection

     To the method of production.

     Mister William Wordsworth measures out his conscience

     With his spoon.

     In the face of what is taking place,

     The boon of Mr Wordsworth ‘s gesture may seem slight, but

     it’s a lean towards the light.

 

‘An Alien Address’ Is read after someone picked a page number at random from his collection New And Collected Potatoes. Potatoes feature a lot in his poetry, along with glasses and deckchairs. He always manages to be quirky but cuts his ideas into gem of poetry and comment.

Hegley has been described variously as the poet laureate of comedy and the new Spike Milligan but that actually does him a disservice ­- he is much better than that.

He was supported by poet Brenda Cockle who delivered cover songs in her own inimitable style with her ukulele and kazoo including Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy, Right Said Fred’s Deeply Dippy plus Pulp’s Common People. You won’t have heard them sung like that before.

Poetry slam favourite Joy France performed ‘Andy Murray’s Balls’, ‘Broken Biscuits’ (with props that we ate), her riposte to Bic’s invention of the “lady’s pen”, a moving memoir of her mum prompted by an ancient lipstick case and a heartfelt poem about children in care.  Both were excellent additions to the bill and Brenda accompanied Hegley for his encore “Guillemot” compete with hysterical audience doing actions to fit.

A  terrific evening in the presence of a master of comic and serious poetry. He could afford to smile, we never stopped.

Judy Gordon