Paulie Accio has had a big night. And his big night is followed by an even bigger day, performing at the birthday party of a nine-year-old self-identified angel Constantina Levesy; a necessary but humiliating gig for an otherwise serious clown.

Nursing a particularly queer injury and a come down that could fell a wollemi pine, he faces a relentless trial of pretentious desserts, errant blow torches, and heinous conversations with employees of Deloitte; culminating in a shocking and senseless murder.

The Balloon Dog Bites is a one-act, one-man comedy unfit for the whole family. It’s Christos Tsiolkas’ The Slap meets Children of the Corn. It’s The Wicker Man as directed by John Waters. And above all else, it’s an angry gay clown in a life-or-death battle with an innocent child.

Image credit: Apurva Gupta