Things To Do

From Circus To Hypnosis, Here’s 10 Spectacular Shows To Catch At This Year’s Fringe Festival

By Renée Ardon-Coppinger
8th Jan 2024

As 2024 kicks off, Perth’s/Boorloo's most loved celebration of all things dazzling, delightful and downright strange, FRINGE WORLD, is back with avengence once again. 

With so many banging shows to check out, we say don’t wait til the pink flags go up on 19 January to start planning your fun. We've teamed up with FRINGE WORLD to serve up our top picks—here are the best FRINGE WORLD 2024 shows to book now.

Club D’Amour: Back Door

Leave your inhibitions at the door—Club D’Amour returns for another season of titillating burlesque, circus, dance and stunning live vocals. Immerse yourself into the French brothels of yesteryear and indulge in this brand new intimately-immersive experience led by the queen of the night, Perth’s own fabulous Fay Rocious. These outrageously gifted performers will enchant, seduce and delight audiences, so rally up your lover or crush and guide them into this mysterious and intoxicating world of whimsy. 

Barbaroi

Step into the heart of chaos and transport yourself into the award-winning dystopian cyberpunk circus sensation, Barbaroi. Making its triumph debut at FRINGE WORLD this season, picture neon-lit side streets overrun by gangs and outcasts played by mind-blowing daring acrobats that’ll take you on a high-stakes showdown. A dangerous and exhilarating spectacle for the senses, we sure ain’t surprised that Barbaroi took out the coveted Best Circus title at Adelaide Fringe.

Geraldine Hickey - Don't Tease Me About My Gloves

Thank God You’re Here and Have You Been Paying Attention? superstar Geraldine Hickey is bringing belly laughs to Perth this summer taking you on an elaborate and hilarious journey into her chaotic mind with Don’t Tease Me About My Gloves. After smashing the 2023 Melbourne Comedy Festival, her dry wit and observation will light up the room (or tent in this case) throwing out ridiculous reasons and stellar storytelling that’ll make you glad you came.

PreHysterical Circus

We love a good pun, so PreHysterical Circus already gets the tick of approval from us. This upbeat children’s circus show led by three foolish Neanderthals is excellent for entertaining the little ones with some sneaky humour thrown in for the parents too. With mesmorising strength, flexibility and acrobatic talent, watch as the team navigate predators, harsh environments and survival through marvelous jokes and immaculately-choreographed tricks. If you’re looking to introduce your minis to the wonderful world of Fringe, this is a dreamy entry point.

HANS: DISCO SPEKTAKULÄR

Hans and his glam girls, The Lucky Bitches, are getting the party started this Fringe season with their award-winning Disco Spektakulär. You’ve no doubt heard of Hans (America’s Got Talent) and his hilariously brilliant cabaret stylings before, and this show really leans into what he does best. With back-to-back mirror ball hits, loads of glitter, giggles and the odd piano accordion, you can’t help but have fun here.

Fruits De La Passion

Liberating, bold and impossibly empowering, Fruits De La Passion is an absolute must-see in our books this season. This star-studded ensemble fuses French flair with bold Pacific vibes celebrating seven strong, dazzling mothers and full-time workers leading a double life as movers and shakers in the world of burlesque. Concocting dance, design, humour and complete unadulterated joy, you’ll have no doubt why this eclectic collective has earned two coveted invitations to compete at the prestigious Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Perfect for audiences keen for an instant dopamine hit, we promise you’ll leave shimmying into the night.

RAILED

This rootin’, tootin’ Western-inspired circus spectacular is not one for the faint-hearted. Railed follows four stunningly talented (and might we add chiseled) acrobats on a racy journey around the wild west with plenty of cheeky quips and sneaky flashes in between. You’ll laugh, you’ll gawk and you’ll definitely gasp at the extraordinary strength, talent and humour of these gorgeous humans.

Briefs: Dirty Laundry

Long live Briefs: Dirty Laundry—a Fringe staple heading back to WA after a completely sold out 2023 run for another naughty, dazzling and sequin-filled season of circus, cabaret, drag and a whole lot of fun in between. You tend to expect the unexpected from these wildly talented, hilarious, feather-clad crew, making it an ideal rambunctious girls night out with cocky in hand with guaranteed laughs, disco jams and outrageous outfits aplenty.

360 ALLSTARS

When we heard that this all Aussie production had smashed it, selling out on Broadway, The Sydney Opera House and Edinburgh Fringe, we knew we were in for a serious theatrical treat. 360 ALLSTARS is an epic supercharged urban circus blending BMX, basketball, breakdancing and acrobatics that smashes the barriers between sport, circus and absolute death-defying magic.

Hypnotist Matt Hale: Top Fun! 80's Spectacular - Remix 

Step into a whirlwind of laughter and outrageous fun with Comedy Hypnotist Matt Hale's 2024 show, featuring new routines and 80s party vibes. A TikTok sensation with over 50 million views, this global legend promises an unforgettable, all-ages-friendly experience. Join the ranks of those who've laughed uncontrollably and sung along in sellout runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and get ready to party like it's 1985 with one of Perth’s cult Fringe faves.

Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett

Fresh from her sell-out season in London’s West End, the legend of kabarett and debauchery herself, Bernie Dieter, is high on our 2024 hit list. Together with her troupe of dangerous misfits, she’ll be taking over L’Euro Grande—an all-new Fringe hub popping up in the old abandoned European Foods Warehouse in Northbridge. Bernie’s immersive soirée will transport you to a Berlin-inspired club den of wicked delights with her infamous gin-soaked haus band, death-defying circus performances, cabaret, drag darlings and more.

The Details

What: FRINGE WORLD 2024
When: 19 January to 18 February
Where: Venues across Perth

Whether you're a Fringe first-timer or a diehard long-term Fringe Friend, its time to dip your toes into the sparkly waters this summer, and get ready for the most wonderous season yet.

Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with FRINGE WORLD. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.

Image credit: FRINGE WORLD Perth

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.