You’ve got no teeth.
You’re underneath
the roof that you carry around.
You can write with your trail
in the way of the snail
in your delicate D.I.Y. home.
Poet John Hegley took us on a humorous journey through his living library of poems, songs, stories and animal drawings. Audiences enjoyed the rhyme and rhythm of this mandolin-playing muse and his hilarious struggle with words, as they threatened to twist and turn out of his grasp.
The bespectacled author of 13 books is widely known as one of the country’s most innovative comic artists and this children’s show delighted adults and young people alike with its chaotic comedy and bewitching poems.
All Hail the Snail (and other creatures) featured live music from one of two eclectic musicians: Eleanor Moreton, who draws on folk, jazz and bluegrass, or Clare Elstow, whose influences include folk, baroque and ragtime.
Half Moon was delighted to present this new show created to celebrate the 35th birthday of Apples and Snakes, England’s leading organisation for performance poetry and spoken word.
#AllHailSnail
Toured nationally as part of Half Moon Presents during 2018.
All Hail the Snail (and other creatures) was named one of Children’s Theatre Reviews top 10 shows of 2018.
“Hegley’s bizarre, brilliant show is one of the best I’ve seen.”
Children’s Theatre Reviews
“Hegley excels as a wordsmith – he fizzes with clever wordplay… The simplicity of his poetry and songs and his innocent, if sophisticated, sense of humour make him perfect for a family show…. It was charming, sweet, surreal, and very funny – and I would wager everyone there came out feeling better about the world.”
Oxford Times
“We thoroughly enjoyed the show, it was a fantastic way to engage them into the poetry unit we will be starting soon. The children have never seen a live performance by an author before and were excited and engaged throughout. We really loved how interactive and inclusive it was, especially for our children who have additional needs. They were able to join in with the storytelling and performance and that is something we love doing during all of our English learning. When we came back to school they asked me to read them some more poems, they also wanted to have a go at writing their own which is brilliant. I would recommend everyone go and see this performance.”
Year 4 Teacher, London, February 2018
About John Hegley
“An incurable entertainer”
The Guardian
“Scandalously talented”
The Sunday Times
“Marvellous, joyful fun”
The Telegraph