Murray Lachlan Young
Murray Lachlan Young | |
|---|---|
| Born | United States |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Nationality | British |
| Website | |
| www | |
Murray Lachlan Young (born 14 March 1969) is a British poet, stand-up performer, broadcaster, playwright, screenwriter and children’s author. He came to prominence during the Brit Pop era of the mid 1990’s, when he became the only poet to sign a contract worth £1m.
His work echoes the great rhymers Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll and Gilbert and Sullivan, along with more alternative influences such as Grandmaster Flash.
His satirical commentaries can read like RD Laing in their philosophical intensity, whilst their subjects range from the vanities of celebrity and middle-class angst, to highlighting the absurdities of modern life.
Currently the poet in residence on BBC 6 Music radio station and touring the UK with his solo stand-up performance show, a retrospective of his work “How freakin’ Zeitgeist are you?” will be published on April 20, 2017.
Young was born in the United States to a Scottish father and an English mother.[1] He was living and working in west Cornwall but he left to live in London.
Young had a small role as a gallows poet in the film Plunkett and MacLeane (1999). He also played the brother of Louis XIV in the 2000 film Vatel.[2] He played the part of 'Annoying Party Guest' in the 2002 film About a Boy. Further published works have been promised by the author, and those interested in seeing this come to fruition are directed to https://unbound.co.uk/books/murraylachlanyoung
Young is now a regular poet on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live as well as being the resident poet on BBC 6 Music. He has also performed several times at the Glastonbury festival and continues to tour nationally as well as residencies at The Union Club, Soho and The Arts Club in Dover St.
There has been growing demand for Mr Young to be named as Britain's next 'Poet Laureate' and there is a Facebook page dedicated to this cause (Murray Lachlan Young Poet Laureate), although The Palace has yet to approve this position for him.
Personal Life
Murray Lachlan Young was born youngest of two boys in Washington DC, to a Scottish father and an English mother.
He was brought up in Sevenoaks in Kent, where he attended The Wilderness School for Boys, graduating from Salford University with a degree in Media Performance.
In 1998 he married singer Zoe Pollock and after moving to a smallholding near St Leonards-on-sea, they had their first son Lore in 2000, followed by second son Flint McKenzie in 2004.
The family moved to St Leven, Cornwall later in 2004, but separated in 2009.
In 2014 he marries singer songwriter Elizabeth Cavendish and sets up home in Dalston, London, separating in 2016.
Murray currently lives in London.
Performance
Since Murray’s early shows supporting such acts as Julian Cope, the Pretenders and Dieta von Tease on the music and cabaret circuit in London, live stand-up poetry has been a key part of his career.
Tom Hodgkinson, Editor of the Idler Magazine, writes “Murray is both an actor and a wit, a poet who can perform and a performer who can write poetry, rolled into one.”
Notable live solo shows include
UK solo headline tours (2014 & 2016)
References
- ^ Mike Wade (2003-06-25). "£1m poet makes reluctant return to the limelight". The Scotsman.
- ^ "Bespoken Word : Murray Lachlan Young". BBC.
External links
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