John has a word for it

POET John Hegley has sold more than 100,000 books, containing a mixture of poetry, prose, and songs - and his career is still going from strength to strength.

His national tour will take him to the Cambridge Arts Theatre, where he will be showcasing his new book, Uncut Confetti.

John said the audience should expect laughter, songs, melancholy, wit, and wisdom.

He said: "My new book is a compilation of material about family life. We take it for granted but it can be intense, living with five people in a small space for 20 years of your life."

The book also includes other experiences John has had, including a trip to Zanzibar.

"The book is more reflective and more mellow than other stuff I have done, but it's still got humour," he said.

"Hopefully the audience will go away with something to think about."

John, who was the son of a visual artist, developed his writing skills after graduating from Bradford University.

He said: "I didn't write much when I was there, but when I left, I put together some poems.

John who admires the likes of Elvis Costello, started his career as a song writer.

"I like a mixed audience so I started busking in the street," he said.

Initially, John did not think about writing poetry at a professional level.

He said: "I got into it when someone said they had seen a terrible poet and I decided to write spoof poems."

A lot of John's work contains a mixture of prose, poetry, verses, songs, and illustrations.

"I think variety is the spice of existence," he said.

John considers poems and prose to be equally important, but admits that he is more inclined to read poetry because he says he is a slow reader.

His tour ends in Malvern on December 9. But in the meantime he is also getting another project underway - an A-Z of animals.

John will be at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on Sunday, November 5.

The show starts at 7.45pm. For tickets, which cost £10-£20 call the box office on 01223 503333.