I’M a huge Hegley fan anyway but to start a show with a poem about my favourite artist, Caravaggio, sealed the deal for me (right, that’s you off to Pseud’s Corner, Ed.).
The poet isn’t what most people think of when they picture a Fringe act – he was once described as “awesomely mundane” – but he’s an Edinburgh must-see in my book.
Hegley has been coming to the Festival since 1983 and with his nasal Luton tones he still gives off the air of a man continually disappointed with his audience.
He is one of few acts I know that wouldn’t mind in the slightest that two audience members with mobility issues arrived late through a different door, going so far as to rearrange the crowd to accommodate them. He’s that kind of chap.
He’s also the kind of chap that, when his phone went off halfway through and he couldn’t find it, had us in hysterics simply by dancing along to his ringtone.
There’s a lot of music – within five minutes we’re all joining in the chorus of a song (one of several singalongs) and we must have had a roomful of choristers judging by the gusto and no small amount of tunefulness on display. Myself not included, obviously.
How different is he? Well, Alison was our nominated coconut clip-clopper for this performance, and if you want to find out what on earth that means, you’ll have to buy a ticket.
John does a lot of work in schools and this show, which he says is “dedicated to people with teaching difficulties” is loosely about education (right up this newly-qualified ASN teacher’s street).
Add a fair dollop of mandolin, sundry poems and more mythical references than you’d expect and you have just about the best hour I’ve seen this year.
John Hegley: Do Horses Have Teeth, Sir? 13.30, Summerhall, Until August 26
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/john-hegley-do-horses-have-teeth-sir
