SIR John Mortimer calls his Mortimer's Miscellany act "my gig". His roving show with two gifted actresses Polly James and Rohan McCullough and accomplished classical guitarist Simon James has delighted audiences everywhere.

It is a wittily put together medley of humorous anecdote, poetry and music and the Bewdley audience was evidently delighted too at seeing the celebrated raconteur brought to the home hearth at the Heath Hotel. It was a thoroughly entertaining evening of side-splitting stories offset by moments of pathos and reflection about life and his own times past.

The distinguished barrister, author, playwright and creator of Rumpole of the Bailey addressed us from an armchair in avuncular style pondering occasionally the advance of old age, the subject of his new book The Summer of a Dormouse.

Sir John announced early on, presumably with tongue in cheek, he would "steer away" from legal jokes. I for one was much relieved he did no such thing.

Some tales will have been familiar to fans of his books and radio spots, but his inimitable talent for delivery and timing makes the second hearing only more delightful.

Sir John shares with us no doubt the timeless yarns that are still doing the rounds of the barristers' chambers to this day. But as one barrister in the audience put it: "The difference between him and us is he can remember them all and tell them so well."

It was also no doubt due to his prodigious memory that we were treated to so many startlingly apt and witty snippets of verse plucked from a lifetime's passion for words and poetry.

Sir John entertained rather like an amiable host over the port at a dinner party. The self-evident enjoyment he showed at giving pleasure to others was for me part of the charm of his "gig." PC