Review by Steve Bennett

You always know where you are with John Hegley.

A ticket guarantees unfailingly entertaining verses, frequently about spectacles or Luton, delivered by the sharp-suited poet in his unmistakable rhythm. There will probably be the odd song thrown in, too.

For this show, Hegley has compiled a collection of poems about our canine friends that he's written over the years (although his glasses still manage to make more than one appearance!)

The delightful show may be a tad familiar for anyone who's seen him at work before, but it is very funny nonetheless.

He does make some attempts to veer away from the predictable. There's a moving tribute to his father, followed, rather uncomfortably, by a silly cartoon of the man. There's morris dancing. And there's a re-enactment of the story of Orpheus involving potatoes and a jar of marmalade that always threatens to come off the rails, but is ultimately saved by a great pay-off line.

But mostly this is an hour of Hegley doing what he does best ­ and who can blame him for being reluctant to tamper too much with such a winning formula?

Review date: 1 Jan 2000
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett