Roger McGough: Alive & Gigging

Roger McGough, the ‘living proof of himself,’ and President of the Poetry Society not only helped kick-start the musical careers of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, but inspired hundreds, if not thousands of young poets (well, quite a few), on their poetic journeys.

Now 85 years old and at that awkward age between birth and death, he puts on a brave face and takes to the stage with a show featuring new poems as well as old favourites.

The new show takes audiences on a journey back to key moments of his life. McGough reflects on his Liverpool childhood just before World War II, with memories and poems including ‘The Full English’, ‘The Overall Winner’ and ‘Learning to Read’. Memories of his mum and dad are told through poems ‘The Railing’ and ‘What Does Your Father Do’, and some are a throwback to the ’60s, reminiscing about The Beatles and Top of the Pops.

New verses have been added for ‘Lily the Pink’, a playful update on the 1968 classic by The Scaffold. As well as laughs, there will be poems about growing old. ‘A Joy to be Old’, ‘A Cure for Ageing’ and ‘Let me Die an Old Man’s Death’ which aptly round off the new show.

We are delighted to welcome Roger back to The Helicon following his sold-out show in 2019.