John Hegley: Morning Wordship

John Hegley is an Edinburgh stalwart and in many ways embodies the spirit of the festival. Performance poet, writer, musician, artist, comic and actor, he effectively covers all the types of expression embraced by the Fringe. What makes him so likable is that he manages to do all of this without sounding like an enormous ponce (not that there’s any shortage in Edinburgh this August).

It’s been said before that Hegley comes across like a favourite English teacher and he plays up to this in Morning Wordship. His set resembles a classroom, complete with untidy desk, overhead projector and projection screen. He also wears a suit, though one slightly sharper than you’d expect to see on an average teacher. Most tellingly he rewards us and chides us as a teacher would. Star pupils (if they’re wearing glasses) are asked to stand for applause after making astute comments or lending him a plectrum. His mock ire is reserved mainly for traitors in contact lenses.

Though there is some poetry most of the set is made up of Hegley guiding us through his humorous drawings or singing his songs. He’s accompanied by bagpipe maker Julian Goodacre on the Leicestershire Smallpipe. Like any good teacher Hegley does his best to get the audience to join in but for this particular performance they seem rather reluctant – 11.30am can feel quite early on a festival Saturday.

Audience hangovers aside, Hegley gives a commanding performance and his work continues to be erudite and amusing. Hopefully he will remain an Edinburgh fixture for many years to come.