Salford poet takes to the stage in Greater Manchester Fringe show

A Salford comedian-poet is taking to the stage for his debut one-man show for this year’s Greater Manchester Fringe.

Daniel J. McLaughlin, 28, a podcast producer for Reach, the UK’s biggest publisher, is bringing ‘Rant in Iambic Pentameter’ to the Fitzgerald on July 3.

A former Journalism student at the university, Mr McLaughlin’s comedic self-deprecating show is a mix of “part-poetry and part-philosophy.”

He said: “Well, it’s cheaper than paying for private counselling… As the old saying goes: a genius is a madman with an audience. I just need an audience, otherwise I am your run-of-the-mill madman.

“But don’t worry, it’s not a bleak 60-minute show where I whine, “Woo is me.” There is far too much of that self-pitying nonsense in the poetry scene. I am here to entertain, first and foremost.”

The show discusses issues faced in Mr McLaughlin’s own life, including mental health and homophobia towards his bisexuality. He explained: “Even in the bleakest moments, mental illness can be funny. My time spent on a mental health ward contained some of the most hilarious moments in my life – I’ll write about it someday.”

“I appeared on the One Show at the start of the year, discussing my attack on Canal Street by a drunken homophobe. It was an important bit of film, but at the same time, it was a bit too worthy for my liking.

“I don’t want to be preachy. I don’t have a megaphone, or a placard, or a soapbox – I have a microphone and far too many swear words. The best way to deal with adversity is to joke about it.”

Daniel J. McLaughlin: Rant in Iambic Pentameter’ will be performed at the Fitzgerald in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on July 3, 2023 at 7pm. Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions) and are available to buy now on the Greater Manchester Fringe website.