FRINGE WORLD Festival is just around the corner and the lineup is absolutely stacked. With over 700 events unfolding across the city there’s plenty to get excited about. So where do you even begin?
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, don’t fret: we’ve done what we do best and narrowed it down for you. From all-out cabaret blockbusters to magical displays and masterful comedy, here are our top picks at this year’s FRINGE WORLD Festival.
If You Want To Be Wowed
By A Thread
Circus
Circus sensation By A Thread is back for its final year at Girls School. The performance explores the relationship between trust and risk in a mesmerising display of pure talent; watch in absolute awe as seven acrobats hoist each other to lofty heights and soar across the stage performing flips into each other’s arms. It’s your last chance to see it, so we recommend you book tickets stat.
Cirque Africa
Circus/Dance Theatre
Back again for another spectacular year, Cirque Africa is absolutely one-of-a-kind when it comes to Fringe. 100% African, high-energy and a lot of fun, this show is part cultural experience, part blockbuster production and will undoubtedly transport you far away from Perth.
Fuego Carnal
Circus/Performance Art
Fire, wild stunts, exotic beats and mesmerising moments—what more could you want? Fuego Carnal is fuelled by sensual choreography and a wicked sense of humour, so no wonder it’s been selling out crowds and earning rave reviews around the planet. This year, expect new heat, new moves and new surprises from the hottest (literally) show around.
Casting Off
Circus/Performance Art
Get ready to laugh, cry and be utterly captivated by three generations of women aged 31, 42 and 60 as they dive into dangerous acrobatics and explore their relationships. Personal, political and furiously funny, Casting Off is all about living on the edge; it’s not one to miss.
If You Want To Belly-Laugh
Comedy Hypnotist Matt Hale: Random Acts of Mindness
Cabaret / Hypnotism
Winner of three national comedy awards, former radio personality and Channel Nine’s Destination WA presenter Matt Hale is better known as Australia’s Comedy Hypnotist. His sellout, award-nominated show Random Acts of Mindness is back with a brand new stack of hilarious hypno suggestions to leave you feeling fantastic. As always, you can enjoy from onstage or in the audience—you choose.
Luke Bolland presents: The Worst Show at Perth Fringe World 2020
Comedy/Variety
If you’re into crappy comedy, bad burlesque and horrible hypnosis, award-winning comedian Luke Bolland is here to make all your Fringe dreams come true. In what is supposedly a “show that combines all the worst acts of the festival,” Bolland and his guests will take you on a hilarious ride you will not soon forget.
L.I.A.R. (Life Is A Rehearsal)
Circus / Comedy
High-flying circus collides with outrageous comedy, serious skill and a little whimsy in this new work from Berlin-native Remi Martin. With extraordinary props, special effects and physically staged scenes with a blistering live soundtrack, L.I.A.R is an odyssey of self-discovery and fantastic imagery to transport you into a dream like no other.
Aborigi-LOL: The Return
Comedy / Stand Up
After a completely sold-out season at last year's FRINGE WORLD, two of Australia's funniest first-nationers Matt Ford and Dane Simpson return with a gut-busting new hour of stand-up in Aborigi-LOL: The Return. Go on and get some culture in you.
Matt Tarrant: EVOLVE
Cabaret / Magic/Illusion
Winner of the Best Overall Act of the Adelaide Fringe 2019, MindBlown Productions presents award-winning Matt Tarrant in his new show EVOLVE. Tarrant returns with world-class magic, mentalism and laughs that is guaranteed to sold out, so you’ll want to book this one ASAP.
Puppetry of the Penis
Comedy / Performance Art
After conquering over 35 countries in two decades, Australia's greatest theatrical export Puppetry of the Penis brings you a collection of all of their "Best Bits" which is sure to make you roll in the aisles in uncontrollable fits of laughter—not a bad way to spend your evening.
If You Want To Go To The Theatre
Orpheus
Theatre / Music
The Flanagan Collective and Gobbledigook Theatre weave a world of dive bars, side streets and ancient gods in their breathtaking production of Orpheus. A tale of impossible, death-defying love told through hair-raising spoken word and soaring soul music, this performance is sure to blow you away.
Styx
Theatre / Music
STYX is an award-winning show about family, myth and memory loss, performed by an international supergroup of musicians, including members of Jebediah, Axe Girl, SUPEREGO and more. Bringing light to the experience of living and dying with Alzheimer's, STYX tells the true story of a grandmother and grandson, piecing together the memories that connect them across time. If you’re looking for a show that’s as equally aesthetic as it is moving, this one’s it.
The Gods The Gods The Gods
Theatre / Music
As you can probably tell by the title, THE GODS THE GODS THE GODS is a loud, raucous, sweaty piece of storytelling and music. Following the award-winning shows ORPHEUS and EURYDICE, The Flanagan Collective and Gobbledigook Theatre return with a new, loud, late-night show full of heart, soul and soaring music. Ancient mythologies interspersed in our day-to-day lives? Sounds like a winner.
Troy Story
Theatre / Comedy
The Iliad has been around for thousands of years and features tales of many great heroes, villains, Gods and Goddesses. But who wants to sit down and read 15,693 lines of Homeric Greek poetry? Using puppets, colloquialisms and pop culture references, Troy Story brings you the full tale of Achilles, Agamemnon, Zeus, Odysseus and a bunch of other characters in just one hour. Ancient Greek literature but make it comedy; sign us up.
Ellipsis
Theatre / Comedy
Presented by local theatre-maker, director, actor, technician and writer Jordan Baynes comes Ellipsis, an absurd and comical story about finding comfort and understanding in this crazy ride we call life. The premise is pretty whimsical: two siblings, Terry and Terry, live life in their apartment until the day when someone falls from the sky, and another day, someone else falls from the sky. We’ll let you experience the rest for yourself.
If You Want To See Something Different
SÉANCE
Theatre / Mixed Media
Don’t attempt SÉANCE if you’re scared of things like ghosts, the dark, ghosts that murder you in the dark. We’re talking about a white 40-foot shipping container, inside which there are two rows of old cinema seats facing one another. The lights get dimmer and dimmer and then go out. And then for the next twenty minutes, you’re bombarded with a terrifying sensory experience, built around cutting-edge 3D audio. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
RABBITHOLE // VR
Film & Multimedia / Virtual Reality
The Mirage Mahal team has been conjuring up bizarre and intriguing experiences since 2016, and now they’re excited to finally be able to offer something for our much-loved FRINGE WORLD in 2020. In the first-ever Fringe VR experience RABBITHOLE // VR, you are a member of a cyber workforce, escaping reality for the infinite splendour of virtual life. But are you playing games or are the games playing you? Only one way to find out...
Filthy
Cabaret / Circus
In the words of Christina Aguilera circa 2002, let’s get dirty. Or, filthy in this case. Filthy is a brand new show that will leave you stuck to your seat, maybe quite literally. Some of Perth's best performers will take you through their filthiest fantasy's using dance, circus, pole dance and even live music. Is it getting hot in hurrr or is it just us?
FLIGHT
Theatre / Mixed Media
FLIGHT is the latest multi-sensory theatre project from Darkfield, the minds behind SÉANCE. So if you’ve already given SÉANCE a go, FLIGHT should definitely be your next stop on the terrifying immersive experience list. Unless you have an unshakeable fear of flying, of course...
Onstage Dating
Theatre / Comedy
First dates are pretty nerve-wracking for anyone; now imagine increasing that stress by adding a live audience to witness it. That’s exactly what Bron Batten does in Onstage Dating. Watch from the safety of your seat or sign up to be part of the action as Bron takes modern romance to the next level, all in front of the audience. Wild.
Fringe on the Water
Cabaret / Circus
Have you ever watched Fringe theatre on a cruise ship? Us neither. But now you’ll be able to thanks to the crew on the swanky Vasco da Gama. For one night only, Fringe On The Water has you stay overnight in Fremantle onboard a stunning cruise ship. Enjoy a Fringe highlight act in the main theatre, talented roving performers, live music and DJs in the bars and lounges so you can party the night away. Spots are limited so you’ll want to get in early on this one.
If You Want Music
The Choir of Man
Music & Musicals / Music
Direct from the stages of their world tour, including Edinburgh Fringe Festival and two hit Sydney Opera House seasons, Choir of Man make their Fringe debut with their good-time powerhouse vocals, smashing your favourite pub classics, rock ballads and pop hits. If you’re looking for a musical blockbuster, this is it.
Tony Galati the Musical
Music & Musicals / Musical Theatre
A crowd-pleaser that sold out before it opened in 2019, Tony Galati is the musical you won’t want to miss. A hilarious and inspirational tale of WA's favourite battler, this heartwarming tale features snappy songs, Perth memes galore and a singing potato. You gotta see it to believe it.
Selfless Orchestra: Great Barrier
Music & Musicals / Film
Selfless Orchestra is an immersive cinematic performance exploring the rich history of the Great Barrier Reef to the threat of its extinction. Award-winning film footage scored by live orchestral post-rock music (think Sigur Ros) will take you deep into the ocean on an exhilarating sensory journey.
Acapocalypse
Music & Musicals / Comedy
If you’re a Pitch Perfect aficionado, we’ve found one for you. Acapocalypse will have you witness an acapocalyptic throw down of epic proportions as 80s divas riff-off against modern millennials in a pitch-perfect battle to the death. We’re talking choral carnage and aca-mazing harmonies; what more could you want?
Throwback 90s
Music & Musicals / Music
Grab your glitter and your denim ‘cause Throwback 90s is bringing all your favourite hits from the 90s and 2000s. Claire Fahie and Jordan Anthony are back with their incredibly funky 7-piece band Neapolitan, hitting you with a mish-mash of Destiny's Child, Hanson, TLC and more.
The Flaming Galahs: Great Australian Songbook
Music & Musicals / Music
If you’re looking for some classic nostalgia overload, The Flaming Galahs: Great Australian Songbook is here to take you on a cracking Australian musical timeline. Monty Cotton (A Boy Named Cash) and Big D (upright bass, ukulele) will hit you with classics from Banjo Paterson, INXS, Slim Dusty, Hunters and Collectors, Vance Joy, John Farnham and more.
Looking for more things to do? Here are 5 of the best events to hit up in Perth this week.