Markus Birdman: Love, Life and Death

There’s no shying away from life’s big questions in this fiercely personal standup set from English comic Markus Birdman.

The generously quiffed vicar’s son was moved to contemplate his place in the world after suffering an unexplained stroke shortly after his 40th birthday - a birthday he celebrated by getting a large Mexican Day of the Dead skull tattooed onto his arm.

The same skull motif is repeated on a large, intricately hand-drawn poster used as a stage backdrop, such impressive artwork including illustrations and key words and phrases from the set. It's a meaningful backdrop for a comic with a lot to say. 

Birdman’s illness makes up the first half of the show and he talks in great detail about losing a quarter of his vision as a result of the stroke. Sure, it all sounds a little heavy, but it’s testament to his talents that even brain scans and injections of radioactive dye provide fertile ground for jokes.

A short section on religion, which includes some of his most razor-sharp barbs, makes way for a second half which is basically a self-help seminar with gags. He lists his recommended ‘tips for living’ which appear trite in isolation (take pleasure in the little things, don’t be scared, do what you love) but are made just about palatable by Birdman’s easy-going charm and obvious sincerity. 

A rousing finish, sticking two fingers up to death, concludes a solidly satisfying hour.