Daniel Muggleton is back, and this time, he’s talking about family – sort of.
Or maybe it’s about street racing? Whatever the case, his latest show is packed with his signature blend of quick-witted social commentary, razor-sharp crowd work, and just the right amount of dick jokes.
The Sydney-born comic, known for his effortlessly cutting observations and signature red tracksuit, is tackling fatherhood – or at least giving it a go. “The show was supposed to be about becoming a father,” Muggleton says. “Then I started being a father for about five months and realised I don’t really have anything of particular importance to say on the topic.” So instead, he’s doing what he does best: talking about himself and making audiences cry-laugh in the process.
If you’re expecting a heartfelt, sentimental dive into parenting, you’re in the wrong place. Vulnerability isn’t quite his thing – at least, not yet.
“Look, I’m a dude, I’m 35. Vulnerability still isn’t really for me,” he admits. “But I am giving it more of a bash than usual.”
That said, fans of his biting takes on race, politics, and well, dicks, won’t be disappointed. “Any stand-up comedy hour that doesn’t make fun of at least three of those things probably isn’t very good.”
Muggleton’s quick-fire crowd work and unexpected tangents are what make his shows a must-see. He never goes into a show planning to talk to the audience – there’s no intention to fill 15 minutes just asking people what they do for a living. But something always comes up. “In a show, generally, someone will say something weird at some point,” he says.
One night, he was talking about struggling to name his son and mentioned considering calling him John. Then he asked three random guys their names – and all of them were called John. That became the ‘Show Of The Johns’. From there, the joke took on a life of its own, with the obvious implication that ‘Johns’ is also slang for men who visit sex workers, a term used by police. It became a running theme throughout the set, a perfect example of how unpredictable and dynamic live comedy can be.
For Muggleton, the real magic of live stand-up is in those unrepeatable moments. If you want something polished, he says, just watch Netflix.
You can’t talk about Daniel Muggleton without mentioning his iconic tracksuit. But the look wasn’t always part of his act – until Jim Jefferies called him out: “I used to wear it offstage because I thought it was funny to dress like a full-time coke dealer. One night, I took it off before going on stage, and when I came off, Jim was like, ‘You’re the only comedian I’ve ever met who has a look – until they get on stage’. I’ve worn it ever since.”
Now, he has about 15-20 of them, always sticking to red – except for special occasions like the Sydney Opera House, where he broke out his ‘special occasion tracksuit’.
If you love stand-up that’s sharp, unpredictable, and packed with real-life absurdities, Muggleton’s show is unmissable. Whether he’s roasting politics, breaking down the 'Fast & Furious' definition of ‘family,’ or getting accidentally sentimental about fatherhood, he keeps audiences on their toes. Plus, you never know when you might witness the next ‘Show Of The Johns’.
Daniel Muggleton Australia 2025 Tour Dates
1-2 May – Comedy Store (Sydney Comedy Festival)3 May – The Concourse Chatswood (Sydney Comedy Festival)
8-11 May – Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)
16-17 May – The Rechabite (Perth Comedy Festival)
11 July – Newcastle Conservatorium Of Music
3 October – Avoca Beach Theatre
