Fringe is back!!! It’s our favourite time of year and goodness me, we truly are spoilt for choice!
Some behind the scenes goss: we receive countless invitations to review shows between December and January. However, on top of reviewing shows we’re invited to, the review team also trawls the program to add to our review schedule. While it can be overwhelming sifting through the hundreds of shows, we love the prospect of uncovering otherwise overlooked gems.
So I present to you, some suggestions to consider if you’re not quite sure where to start this Fringe season.
Debuts
Returning Favourites
Something different
Family friendly
We love supporting the arts… and especially love cheering on debut runs and newbie performers.
Hardy Croucher is quite possibly Fringe’s youngest solo performer. At just eighteen years old, this Albany local is premiering with: The Good, The Bad and the Hardy While this is Hardy’s first run at Fringe, he’s been honing his craft for years, starting comedy in the Melbourne International Comedy festival’s national talent search when he was fourteen!
Calling all the ladies! Consider this your rally call for a night that celebrates the sisterhood! Bad Girls of History by DJ Carly Gray is set to be a feast for your senses. Dance to an audio-visual feast while soaking up history’s greatest history makers of the feminine persuasion.
We love a good origin story, so it’s no surprise that The Boy from Ballajura has caught our eye! Who is the person behind Karl Kayoss and Alexas Armstrong? The boy from Ballajura opens up about his journey growing up and finding his way to not one, but two well-loved personalities in the Perth entertainment scene.
Returning Favourites
We have some truly talented people right here in Perth, entertainers we would whole-heartedly recommend because of their dedication to their craft and the quality of their work. We also have some ab fab shows that are blessing us with encores!
Top of our list is The Hairy Godmothers. We’ve had not one but TWO team members (yours truly included) absolutely adore their signature show – Dizney in Drag. Be prepared to have your core childhood memories of your favourite Disney characters warped! And the best part? The cheeky lamingtons have come up with a SEQUEL – Villains. I have been patiently waiting for them to bring this new show to Perth and by the looks of the previews on Instagram, it’s going to be a wickedly delicious night out.
If you’re a fan of Burlesque, then Sugar Blue Burlesque are the go tos. Honestly, you can’t go wrong Established in 2007, they are still going strong and are home to some of the best performers including my current favourites – Veruca Sour (Miss Burlesque WA 2017) and Lucy Lovegun (Miss Burlesque WA 2014 AND 2020, Miss Viva Las Vegas 2nd runner up).
Speaking of favourite performers, I also have a soft spot by the reigning queen of drag, Barbie Q! We first crossed paths in my previous life as an event coordinator and since them, I’ve always held Barbie in high regard as a performer and producer. Barbie’s hit collab with Kinetica, Sinsuality is gracing The Rechabite this Fringe. Sinsuality first burst into the spotlight in 2016 and has garnered a cult following for its exploration of the seven deadly sins.
Looks who else is back – it’s Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett! If you’re looking for a debaucherously decadent night out, then Bernie’s your go to! Be treated to global talent whose resumes include Cirque Du Soleil, Vegas, and the West End. You have no excuse to miss out on this extravaganza either as the cabaret will be open almost every day throughout Fringe!
Can’t get enough cabaret? Tuck Shop by Tone & Cheek will surely satiate you. Cast members include the above mentioned Veruca Salt, drag diva Cougar Morrison and Matthew Pope (who I’ve not personally seen but whose reputation precedes him).
Something Different
I love Jessie Gordon. I’ve always thought that she has such a soothing voice, and would happily listen to her all day. So it’s apt that along with longtime collaborator, Mark Turner, she’s hosting CALM, an immersive experience set to put your mind at ease. Just sit back, relax and luxuriate.
If you’re after something more fast-paced, check out Peddle Perth’s Adults Rickshaw Scavenger Hunt. It’s giving Amazing Race vibes as you and your partner will race around Perth and Northbridge competing against others in a series of challenges. Got a mini me? Try the kids’ version instead!
Can you keep a secret? Because Famous Sharron can’t! Put your silent disco headphones on and get a ready for a history tour like no other!
Bridgerton’s riffs on pop classics have taken the world by storm. But if pop’s not your thing, then perhaps consider Thunderstruck – which marries classic mastery with rock anthems. If you and your partner love rock, then this candle-lit concert will make the perfect date night.
Family Friendly
We already covered some of our family favourites in our school holiday post… but here are some more to look out for!
Here are some other family-friendly shows to keep the kids entertained.
Who doesn’t love a good circus? Circus the Show has an impressive history of 5 star reviews, so you can be sure that it’ll delight every member of the family!
The Impromptunes are back to entertain with their improvised musical stylings. This time, the kids will get to join in on the fun at their family friendly show – Impromptunes – Tune Your Own Adventure. Perfect for the musically-inclined kids.
Do you have a smarty pants who has an answer for everything? How about redirecting that enthusiasm towards UK stand up comedian, Ollie Horn instead? In Kids Can Heckle, kids are encouraged to to disrupt the show with all manner of silliness. Just don’t blame us if they decide to continue after they leave the show…
Still can’t decide? Check out our library of Fringe reviews for more inspiration!