Can poetry soothe the soul?
“Soothe the soul is maybe a little grand, but it can certainly stretch the imagination. I think that it is applicable to the rest of your life. It can get you to think in new, fresh ways.” Who scares you more: sniffy literary critics or drunken audiences at comedy clubs? “Possibly drunken reviewers. They are the ones who cause the real worry.” Have you had many shows that were stinkers? “I have to say that normally they go very well. However, there was a time 20 years ago, at the Hemingford Arms, when I felt that I hadn’t done the job. It never does any harm to be occasionally reminded that you can do it wrong. It sharpens you up a bit.” Do you know other poets in Islington? “To my shame, I don’t know what the local poets’ society in Islington is. I know there’s a local history society, but that’s it. If anyone can write in and tell me, I would be mightily appreciative.” Who are your heroes? “I’ve always found Tony Benn to be an inspirational figure. I really like Kirsty MacColl’s musi
