‘Monsieur Robinet stands on the street with his dog and strikes up a tune on his euphonium. Carnival time is more than four months away, but for Robinet, like his dog, festive time is all year round, especially at meal times.’

Monsieur Robinet is back, and so is his wily dog Chirac. Join adored comic and poet John Hegley to venture into the world of an absurd man at home in an ordinary universe. John arrives with his dad’s paintings, his own drawings and chamber musicians who will provide Baroque grandeur alongside the poet’s own more basic tunes. Monsieur Robinet will be accompanied by his long-suffering dog Chirac, and there will be additional adventures on The Supersonic Sofa, which will visit the Pyramids, Ancient Rome and Dunstable.

Devised for adults, but suitable for some spectacle-wearing 9-year-olds. There will be some audience singing and a small amount of Northern soul dancing. The night will feature three pieces by Rameau, as well as Dizzy Gillespie and excerpts from Orfeo.

John Hegley is a performance poet, comedian, musician, songwriter and principal pianist of Aurora Orchestra. He recorded two sessions for John Peel with his first band The Popticians, and since then has frequently performed his sung and spoken words on the airwaves. The author of ten books of verse and prose including My Dog is a Carrot and Uncut Confetti, two CDs and one mug, he performs live in venues all over Britain. He appears on television and radio and his poems have been featured regularly in The Guardian.