FRINGE WORLD today revealed its 2018 program showcasing a line up set to shake off the borings this summer from January 26 to February 25. Perth’s biggest festival and the third largest Fringe in the world, Fringe features 750 events and almost 130 venues to explore in every corner of the city.
The 2017 Festival saw more than 750,000 free and ticketed attendees. Festival Director Amber Hasler said that FRINGE WORLD is unlike anything else on offer in Perth and this year’s program has a huge array of new and exciting treats.
“This is our best program yet and it’s going to put so much joy into the lives of all the people of Perth. From local artists to Australian and international performers, the 2018 program is huge and simply spectacular,” Ms. Hasler said. “We invite absolutely everyone in Perth to make the most of the Festival and forget boring, because Fringe is here and it’s time to get excited!”
FRINGE WORLD kicks off during the City of Perth’s Australia Day Long Weekend (Friday, January 26 to Sunday, January 28) with a huge array of free entertainment and ticketed shows. For those new to Fringe, the best place to start a Fringe adventure is FRINGE Central at The Perth Cultural Centre with artists roaming around every night ready to pitch their shows and so many venues close by so you can check out something new on each visit.
FRINGE WORLD 2018 has returning favourites and new treats in store including a brilliant new hub at the Ice Cream Factory, a great new Palace Society program in venues throughout the King and Queen Streets precinct, a huge circus tent landing right next to Yagan Square and a wildly expanded program at The Pleasure Garden, Perth’s favourite Fringe playground.
On the second weekend of the Fringe is the Festival’s biggest ever free program. The City of Perth FRINGE WORLD Buskers Weekender will be taking over the City malls from February 2 to 4 with an international array of street performers, circus acts and wild entertainment.
One of the exciting new offerings at Fringe is The Showman’s Fair at the Urban Orchard in FRINGE Central. It’s a wild Dutch mini-festival with live music, performances and special surprises including a long table dining experience! Look out for Silent Disco in the authentic vintage lion’s cage and a tent where you can be touched by God. Like most of the Fringe hubs, it’s free to enter every night of the Festival if you want to drop in and soak up the Fringe vibes and check out the mini-shows for a bargain $5 a pop.
The new Ice Cream Factory venue will be home to The Edith Spiegeltent, comedy venue The Ramp plus the sure-to-sell-out show Club Swizzle, from the creators of La Soiree. The Ice Cream Factory is on the corner of Roe and Queen Streets, Northbridge and with plenty of parking right on the doorstep, this is one of the hottest new venues that is a must-see destination for all Fringe-goers in 2018.
Other highlights of the 750+ program include Cirque Africa, a blockbuster circus show at Yagan Square with high-energy knuckle-biting acrobatics, comedy, live music and dance. From sell out seasons internationally, Hot Brown Honey hits The Pleasure Garden and go for an unforgettable blindfolded experience at Fear. Watch backup singers conspire against Vanessa Amarosi in How to Kill the Queen of Pop and revel in award winning Australian theatre production, Terror Australis.
Lucy Peach, 2017 Martin Sims Award Winner, is expanding on the success of My Greatest Period Ever, with a new show for those new to periods, How to Period like a Unicorn. The circus sensation Sediment will keep you enthralled and the sizzling Little Death Club will provide a smorgasbord of the wildest and darkest acts from across the whole Festival.
FRINGE WORLD is all about choosing your own adventure and exploring the shows and venues happening all over the metro area across the City of Perth, Northbridge and beyond. From Freo Royale in Fremantle to the Sunset Veranda in Scarborough, from The Pickled Swan in Midland to Leedypalooza in Leederville, from Rockingham to Rottnest to Funtavia in Geraldton, there’s something for everyone and something happening nearby this Fringe.
More than 47% of events in the Festival program are from Western Australian artists and a trip to Fringe is not complete without checking out at least one WA show. When you enjoy a WA show you are supporting our very own Homegrown Heroes, the talented local artists and performers that make our state and city shine.
FRINGE WORLD runs January 26 to February 25. With an average ticket price of $24 and plenty of free community events, Fringe is accessible to everyone. The full program, tickets, gift vouchers and general info on all things Fringe can be found at fringeworld.com.au
