The Umbrella Man: What We Talk About When We Talk About the JFK Assassination

with Martin Fitzgerald - Fresh from a successful run at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe, Martin Fitzgerald isnow bringing his one-man storytelling show to Manchester!The show is based on Fitzgerald’s critically acclaimed book of the same name,published by Biteback in April 2026. It was a Radio 4 Pick of the Week and RichardHerring has described it as his favourite book of the year.The Umbrella Man and Other Stories brings a fresh perspective to one of themost enduring subjects of modern history – the JFK Assassination. Rather thangetting bogged down by the usual questions of who and why, Fitzgerald insteadchooses to focus on the ordinary people who were caught up in the mostscrutinised six seconds of the twentieth century.A man who opened an umbrella on a sunny day. A dressmaker with vertigo. Awoman with a polaroid. The mysterious Babushka Lady. And the three suspicioustramps, arrested shortly after the assassination.These are the strange, true stories of a small group of accidental bystanders tohistory, who spent the rest of their lives trying to escape it. The Umbrella Man andOther Stories carefully guides the audience through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, takingthem back to 1963 and into the shoes of the people who were present that day.Combining humour, meticulous research and impeccable storytelling, this grippingshow shines a new light on the event – whether it’s your specialist subject or you’re acomplete novice.“Fitzgerald’s approach is full of humanity.” – Hugh Bonneville, Actor - Paddingtonand Downton Abbey.“Smart and restrained.” – Al Murray, Comedian and co-host of We Have Ways ofMaking You Talk.“Fascinating.” – Robin Ince, Comedian and Broadcaster“One of the best things I saw in Edinburgh and taught fascinating things about anevent I thought I knew a lot about.” – Sarfraz Manzoor, Writer and broadcaster.“***** - a gripping, intelligent, and deeply human exploration of one of history’s mostinfamous moments” – Counter Culture“***** - witty, fast, and packed with detail” – Scottish Field“Fitzgerald is a master in the art of storytelling. Highly recommended.” – FringeReview