Sharing the same title as Harley Breen’s show over at the Gilded Balloon (both performers grew up with fathers who were ministers) it seemed likely that there may be crossover between themes of these sons of preacher men. As it is, Breen’s show is wholly biographical and revolves entirely around the title whereas Birdman’s barely attends to it.
What this show offers is a solid 55 minutes of very funny standup with occasional looks at religion. Birdman has all the hallmarks of a successful MC – quick thinking, charming and with the knack for including individuals in the audience back into the topics: “In Liverpool, as Kevin no doubt knows…”. A small detail which is never overused but which cements the feeling in the room that this is our mate Markus.
Birdman is no slouch in the joke-writing department. Ordinary subjects are given a quirky spin and quirkier ideas are spun back to make them accessible. Gags abound and laughs are never far away as he moves effortlessly between topics ranging from his slightly posh accent to the merits of the goosestep.
Markus Birdman is the perfect comedian for a festival: displaying enough common ground to appeal to the general public but with all the tools in his comedy Bat belt to impress the aficionado.
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