2014 Edinburgh Fringe

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As a child, Markus Birdman's father - a vicar - made him draw Bible stories. Unfortunately he doesn't remember these stories, but as a grown-up he's pretty good at drawing.

Like Hamlet, he has contemplated the unfairness of life and the attraction of ending it all, but like Charlie Chaplin he finds comedy in the most painful of places. He does drawings, and he does jokes, so why not combine the two? It worked for Rolf Harris. To a point.

Markus has been an art teacher, graffiti artist and sculptor's assistant and 2B Or Not To Be sees him putting his skill for sketching to blasphemous effect, through stories, jokes and the unique way Birdman looks at the world.

2B Or Not To Be follows neatly on from Birdman's previous shows Son Of A Preacher Man, Sympathy For The Devil, Dreaming, Love, Life & Death and Happily Ever After - which reflect the progression of the comic's life and cover its important themes such as religion, sexuality, relationships, mortality and much more. Since One Step Beyond in 2004, this is Birdman's seventh solo show at the Fringe.

Markus has performed stand-up all over the world, and appearances include the New Zealand, Adelaide and Melbourne Comedy Festivals, plus gigs at The Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Up The Creek and many more. He has also toured with Paul Sinha, and The Convoy and Best Of British in New Zealand. Television credits include BBC New Comedy Awards, How Not To Live Your Life, Live At Toomler Amsterdam (Netflix) and Most Annoying Songs We Hate To Love, and he's appeared on radio shows Just A Minute and Loose Ends.

Accolades for his stand-up work include the Open Mic Winner of Lewisham Comedy Festival, and finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards, Daily Telegraph Open Mic, Jongleurs New Act Of The Year and Leicester Comedy Festival New Act Of The Year.