Poetry in motion

The ability to make poetry side-splittingly funny is a particularly fine art.

Think of the margin for error and how badly it could go wrong, bearing in mind that haste with which a comedy audience can become bored or uncomfortable.

It’s no exaggeration, therefore, to say that John Hegley possesses a unique and inspirational talent.

Hegley’s poems range in complexity from simple crowd pleasers to extraordinarily poignant and surreal creations.

As a graduate of the notoriously demanding comedy store in 1980, he proved his mettle as a stand-up from the outset of his career and remains one of the most sought-after acts on the circuit.

His appearance at The Stand in Edinburgh on May 13 is, then, not to be missed.

London-born Hegley’s first brush with widespread fame came in 1983 when, as the lead singer on The Popticians, he featured in a number of sets on BBC Radio One’s legendary John Peel sessions.

In the time since, he has performed all over the world, regularly selling out at the Edinburgh Fringe.

He has also published several books featuring autobiographical ramblings interspersed with poetry, which, naturally, are furnished with such oddball titles as My Dog Is A Carrot and The Sound of Paint Drying.

Expect Hegley’s performance to be high on audience participation and crackling with razor sharp wit as he tackles everything from wearing glasses and owning a dog to vegetables and his beloved Luton Town AFC. And of course, expect a lot of poetry.

John Hegley performs at The Stand in Edinburgh on May 13.