Vladimir the Crow

Stepping into the dark and dimly lit Melba Studio, the audience took their seats in the unavoidably intimate rows. An eerie soundscape of whispers, howling and murmurs creeped louder and louder until a head protrudes from the curtains. Alas, it is Paul Bourke’s ghoulish and grotesque clown, Vladimir the Crow.

Through highly energised movement, outrageously comical gestures and scarily interactive clowning, Paul Bourke brings his loveable yet horrifying character to life for an hour of comedic genius! Dressed in a Victorian white undershirt, oversized black trousers and a gothic black mink coat with tails, Vladimir the Crow uses animated mime and physical theatre to transport audiences on a journey through portals to other worldly dimensions.

Vladimir the Crow has been created by Paul Bourke, a highly skilled actor, director and teacher. Bourke is primarily interested in honing a synthesis between the imagination, the pleasure of the performer and the physical articulation of the body. Once a recipient of a prized grant to study at The Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, Bourke’s style of characterisation stems from that of founder, world-renowned master clown, Phillip Gaulier that “our souls are full of mad ghosts.” Students of Gaulier are motivated to “carry, at the stroke of midnight, storms of light, playful and dazzling emotions into lively and daring theatres,” which is most evident within our underworld host for the evening, Vladimir the Crow.

Bourke invited his audience to enter “the game” in true bouffon style of exploring and discovering the exciting world of grotesque through play. Bourke thrilled audience members with scenes exploring love, loss, tragedy and downright absurdism. Dramatic mood and tension were also effectively created through the extraordinary soundscape alongside lighting effects by Stephen Bourke.

Audiences were encapsulated by Vladimir the Crow. The dreamscape of the show was fascinating and every bit intriguing. Engrossed from the start, this show was perfect for horror connoisseurs and theatre lovers alike. Vladimir the Crow is a scholar of horror, a conduit to all things ghastly and ghoulish.

The show is fun, dark, poetic, hypnotic, hilarious and nothing you would ever imagine it to be! We can’t wait to see you again.

Vladimir the Crow
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019
comedyfestival.com.au/2019/shows/vladimir-the-crow