Comic poetry hero John Hegley to perform two shows in Bristol

There is comfort, joy and magic about a John Hegley performance.

Bristol comedy promoters Chucklebusters are bringing the “awesomely mundane” (Independent) poet to The Wardrobe Theatre for two nights, on May 25-26.

Entitled Drawings of Dromedaries (and other creatures), the show – produced in collaboration with Milk Poetry – features an eclectic mix of ‘poems, drawings, stories and possibly dancing’ that is, uniquely, Hegley.

Animals set to feature include D.H. Lawrence’s tortoise, puffins, cats, frogs, elephants ‘and half a dragon’, as well as the dogs belonging to Monsieur Robinet and 19th century American geologist Florence Bascomb.

Alongside some vintage pearls from the back catalogue, there will be some new material on the inner life of John Keats, who remains an inspiration for Hegley. He joined Bristol24/7 shed some more light, and rhyme, on what to expect:

John Hegley – photo: Jackie di Stefano

For those unfamiliar with the Hegley oeuvre, can you describe this show?

“Verses, letters, journal entries. Some new. Some old. Some Bristol. Some joining in. A bit of Pucklechurch. A fair amount of chuckling. Not too much melancholy. But some.”

What does it mean to you to be back on a life stage following the extended period we’ve all been through without live performance?

“It is cheering to have the chance to show drawings of various creatures which I have completed over the last couple of years and also to be able to hand over in person the certificates to audience members who have completed, on stage, the beginners baroque dance moves which I demonstrate.”

Can you articulate what it is about rhyme that makes it sing?

“Difficult question, this. I could give it a miss, but I do not want to disappoint, or put noses out of joint, so I’ll say something, even if you can’t sing it very easily.”

You’ve been described as having a punk aesthetic. Does that hold true as much as it ever did?

“I did not know this had been suggested… on stage, I do try to respond imaginatively to the moment and my songs don’t have many chords. (But there are plenty of rhymes.)”

Have you always tended to see the magic in mundanity, and if so, has that translated to your general outlook on life?

“There is a piece I am writing about Caravaggio’s painting Supper At Emmaus – in it, he depicts the two disciples at the meal table in the moment of realising the identity of their risen master. There is incredible painting of their astonishment – and also depicted, is a slight tear in the jerkin of one of the pair which is astonishing in itself. The ordinary alongside the extraordinary. I would hope to learn from such mastery as well as to marvel at it.”

What is it about the work of John Keats that has made him a creative inspiration for you?

“Reading the letters of the young John Keats, I discover curiosity, idiocy, compassion, passion, philosophy, language having a run around and deep family fondness – his aliveness is a nourishing dietary supplement.”

Which of the poems featuring in this show do you most enjoy performing?

“QUICK POTATO POEM:
The spud
sped.”

Chucklebusters presents: John Hegley: Drawings of Dromedaries (and other creatures) is at The Wardrobe Theatre on May 25 at 7pm and May 26 at 9pm. Tickets are available from www.chucklebusters.com.

Main photo: Suzi Corker

Read more: Simon Mole and Gecko present The Big Bristol Poetry Picnic

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