Markus Birdman discusses fairy tales, labradors and winning Wimbledon.
Tell us about your Fringe show
I've rewritten and illustrated Cinderella and Red Riding Hood to make them a bit more relevant and funny. And to try to make sense of bringing up a 10 year old daughter. My previous shows had only jokes and stories, but i thought i'd add my own illustrations since Rolf Harris left a gap in the market
Best thing about the Fringe?
My show. Particularly the bit when i get a labrador to recant its Catholicism.
Worst thing about the Fringe?
When the labrador manages to convert me to Catholicism. It's an occupational hazard.
How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?
This will be my 11th year, and my 8th solo show.
Favourite Fringe venue?
Stand 1
Best Fringe memory?
If you can remember them, you weren't there.
Best heckle?
In 15 years I have never heard a single decent heckle
Craziest on stage experience?
My show this year contains such a strong dirty joke, it has already made two audience members pregnant. And one was a man.
What’s on your rider?
Manuka honey, a good Malbec and a complete poetry anthology of Kenny Dalgleish. It's surprisingly inspirational.
How do you wind down after a show?
I like to incant an ancient Hindu prayer whilst warming my undercarriage gently on an open fire. It certainly relaxes me but it's not for everybody.
What do you love about Scotland?
The whisky and the hills, and the dreamboat who works behind the bar at Harvey Nicks.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The dreamboat who works behind the bar at Harvey Nicks.
What’s the most Scottish thing you’ve done?
I won the wimbledon men's singles in 1996. Though I was later disqualified for giving Steffi Graff a wedgy at the Champions Ball.
What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?
If I knew that, I would keep it a secret.
Favourite joke
"Dreams are like children. Follow them too long and people get suspicious." That's perhaps the favourite of my own jokes, but it's certainly the shortest.
Markus Birdman will perform at Canons’ Gait as part of the PBH Free Fringe on August 12-16 and 18-30.
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