Nestled within the Comedy @ Trades program guide is a small, short and anonymous quotation from The Age reviewing The Birdmann’s previous exploits. It reads, quite simply, ‘he is funny.’ Reading this, and not knowing much else of the elusive birdlike figure, I was, I admit, apprehensive. What was a show that engendered such a bland and unimaginative statement going to be like?

I’m a nervous spectator. I worry about the quality of what I’m going to see, for myself, for my fellow audience members and, just to be fair, for the performers themselves. So, when Birdmann’s awkward, slightly gawky figure entered into the intimate atmosphere of the small Old Council Chambers, clearly twirping (my own little bird pun for The Pun) with nervous energy, I was filled with teetering misgiving.

HOWEVER (And that’s a big however.), Birdmann’s self-depreciating and pastiche cabaret show proceeded to wipe my nervousness away with relieved giggles. Aware of the strangeness of his appearance and of a cabaret star’s role, which is to speak to a largely unresponsive audience, Birdmann plays with the absurd, mocking comic and cabaret conventions whilst also using such conventions to frame his show.

Somewhat like a B-grade movie, Birdmannifesto irreverently amuses itself by using the tricks of the trade as a basis for its own humour. If you love the absurd, enjoy reveling in the silly and don’t mind cosy, intimate audience settings, then you will have to concur’Birdmann is funny.

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• PunCast Episode 11 – The Birdmann
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