Markus Birdman, Alistair Barrie

Markus is an original and highly talented stand up. He has been described by the BBC as “the all-round package; witty, controversial, hip, topical, silly. A master of timing and physical comedy." His relationship with the Beeb goes back to his performance at the Edinburgh Festival in 2001 as part of Screaming Blue Murder's Big Value Show and as a finalist in the televised BBC New Comedy Awards 2001. He was nominated for the NZ Comedy Guild Award as Best International Artist 2014. 'The crowd fell for his dry, witty, confused little boy mutt-schtick in a big way' (The Observer) 'Delightfully comic. Controversial, personal and wickedly punchy' (The List) 'Birdman cuts a dashing figure, elegant, smart, theatrical. A hugely entertaining hour of thoughtful, heartfelt, mature comedy, performed with great energy and dynamism... Engagingly mixes the silly and the downright wrong' (Chortle) '... already on his way up...' (Time Out) 'Second to none' (Adelaide Advertiser) 'Infectious, likeable and popular... A consummate comic... energetic, engaging, thought-provoking and funny' (The Stage).

Much in demand as an act, Alistair Barrie has forged a reputation for himself as one of the top comperes to emerge in recent years. His deceptively friendly and engaging stage presence masks a sharp, dry wit which can be turned to subjects as diverse as suicide bombers in the Middle East to the perils of flying EasyJet. Despite a fondness for topical material, any performance is likely to be peppered with some inspired silliness and a little audience-related improvisation. 'Eloquent, slick and dynamic' (http://www.Chortle.co.uk) 'One of the circuit's classiest stand ups’ (London is Funny) 'Smart, slick and truly funny. Don't take my word for it, check him out yourself’ (Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke) 'Barrie has a casually sardonic sense of humour and is sharp as a guillotine blade. Woe betide the bloody fool who tries to heckle him' (Cape Town Argus).