“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death”.
- Robert Fulghum
Saturday was a long day. A very long day indeed. I mean, what I mean is, it wasn’t, actually, any longer than any other day. In fact, with the winter setting in, it was probably a shorter day than many other days before it, including many Saturdays. Though, with winter setting in, it was a longer Saturday than the one that is to come and the many others that are to come after that But that is normal for this time of year. So, in actual fact, this particular Saturday on this particular day was not particularly lengthy or particularly short. It was just right. Like good porridge.... But it was a long day. Saturday was a long day.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. But stay with me.
If you could just take a moment to re-read the opening two paragraphs (the order of reading really doesn’t matter. Go wild.)....
Finished?
Brilliant. Well done. That, ladies and gentlemen, is The Wonderful World Of Hugh Hughes. And it is wonderful.
Whether talking about identity (Floating), loss (The Story Of A Rabbit) or friendship (360), Hughes has a unique and beautiful gift for leading his audience back to their, perhaps long silenced, inner child. To wide-eyed enthusiasm, to optimism and to truths that only children seem to be able to grasp.
You cannot help but like Hughes. He always wants to talk to you, to know more about you as he is talking about himself. Fantastically odd and surreally funny, his humour has that very Welsh quality of stating the obvious but not quite being sarcastic. It is a light and clever humour that keeps us safe when things start to get dark.
His imagination draws from everything around us. Not only in the echo of his words, but in pictures, in movies, in music, in models - all to paint his memories and take us where words, being what they are, can only describe.
I was lucky enough to catch all three of his shows on Saturday and would urge everybody to experience The Wonderful World Of Hugh Hughes whenever they get the chance.
Absolutely magical, although, I would perhaps not see all in one day. Because, with a 90 minute gap between each show, Saturday was a long day. A very long day indeed.