John Hegley

The phrase "Fringe Veteran" is overused but, now performing at his 25^th Edinburgh Festival Fringe, no other title could describe John Hegley so precisely. Having garnered an army of loyal fans – one lady tells me that she comes up from Yorkshire every year just to see her "hero" – the room is filled with reverential ums and ahs and some very polite applause throughout.

Hegley’s performance poetry has no less emotion, no fewer off-kilter phrases and no less venom than that of his younger colleagues. But shunning the crudeness and lewdness that occasionally pepper the works of poets such as Luke Wright, this performance is accessible to all.

Hegely goes out of his way to include the many children in the audience – a drawing contest is held on stage – as much as his typically more mature fans. Requesting some comically difficult audience participation in many of his songs and even asking for someone to translate one of his French poems, the greying Hegley Army aren’t going to be allowed to fall asleep at this one (much as some try).

You won’t have seen any of Hegley's posters up this year or, come to think of it, last year, but that's only because his popularity and talent transcend the need for any publicity. To feel at home at this eccentric Fringe performance, just say, "Oh! I was hoping he’d do this one," before any of the poems and you’ll be welcomed straight into the fold.