Beginner’s Pluck
After college, Ian moved to London and did children’s and street theatre. That developed into fringe theatre, and he had a play on in the West End. He moved into stand up comedy, because he liked the idea of being the writer, director and performer in one. “It was exciting,” he says. “But then stand up comedy became commercial and didn’t suit my style so I decided to write a books using the skills I had learned.”
Who is Ian McPherson ?
Date/place of Birth: 1951/Birmingham, but brought up in Dublin.
Education: St Joseph’s Christian Brothers School in Marino. UCD. English Literature.
Home: Glasgow’s West End.
Family: Married to the poet Maggie Gibson; two lovely daughters, and a mother in Dublin.
The Day Job: Full-time writer.
Hobbies: Looking for work,
Favourite Writers: Maggie Gibson, my wife. I also like PG Wodehouse, Flann O’Brian and Woody Allen.
Second Novel: I’m working on a play at the moment. It’s a light-hearted comedy about suicide, terminal illness and murder. And I’ve been asked to adapt the book for a TV comedy.
Top Writing Tip: The first draft is always ‘shite.’ Don’t worry about it. Rewrite.
Website: www.irishgenius.me
THE DEBUT
The autobiography of Ireland’s greatest living genius. Fiachra MacFiach. Edited by Ian MacPherson. Published by Gnarled Tree Press, €12.59; Kindle, not available
Fiachra is a genius who wanders his way through life not recognising the mayhem he is causing. He destroys the lives of those around him, but doesn’t notice. This autobiography, which in effect is two books in one, shows him almost redeemed by the love of a child. But he manages to escape from embracing real life, ensuring that his genius is safe.
“Comedy, to me, is the gap between what we think we are, and what we actually are. I took from myself and others around me, and created as flawed a character as possible. ”
The Verdict: Brilliantly funny. We all know Irish males like Fiachra. There’s one in every audience at every festival.
