It’s time to find your happy place, with Fringe World 2019 offering up more than 700 events from 18th January to 17th February.
The third largest Fringe celebration in the world is right here in our own hometown, and there truly is something for everyone. From circus and comedy, to theatre and music, dance and cabaret, to kid’s entertainment, free events, and those weird and wonderful shows that you’ll never see anywhere else but Fringe.
If you’ve got no idea where to start, The Perth Project is here to help you out, with five unmissable shows to see this Fringe. But my best advice? Just get in there and enjoy it. Embrace the 31 happiest days in WA, see the shows topping the lists in the media, but also catch a local act, slide into something that sounds a bit odd, grab Rushtix and take a chance on a smaller show, check out the free performances, and soak up the atmosphere. You never know who’ll you see or what might happen!
Djuki Mala
One of the most unique, infectious and high energy shows of Fringe, Djuki Mala is an indigenous dance sensation unlike anything you’ve seen before. Winners of Best Dance Adelaide Fringe and Fringe World 2017, and West Australian Arts Editors Award 2017, they’re back with their hit production that seamlessly brings together traditional dance, pop-culture, and storytelling to make your heart sing. You will be grooving and clapping along, thanks to a dash of comedy, clowning, and perfect timing.
PS – want to drop a little knowledge to impress your friends? Djuki means ‘chooky’ with a Yolgnu accent and Mala means mob. There ya go.
When: 19th Jan – 25th Jan at 4pm and 6:45pm, 22 Jan and 12th Feb – 15th Feb at 6:45pm, 9th and 10th Feb at 2pm and 4pm, 16th and 17th Feb at 4pm and 6:45pm
Where: The West Australian Spiegeltent at The Woodside Pleasure Garden
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/djuki-mala-fw2019
La Soiree 2019
Never heard of La Soiree before Well it’s considered one of Perth’s favourite shows, after three sell out Fringe World seasons, and this year it is bigger and bolder than ever. La Soiree is cheeky escapism at its best, guaranteed to spark the imagination with a redefined looked at cabaret. This year, La Soiree has got hilarious puppeteers from Montreal, a spectacular Indian pole duo from Mumbai, glamorous Perth-born sword swallower Lucky Hell, a dynamic Ukrainian circus duo, and so much more. Experience this joyous and jaw dropping entertainment for yourself and see what all the buzz is about.
When: 17th Jan – 3rd March (except Mondays)
Where: The Ice Cream Factory, 92 Roe Street, Northbridge
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/club-swizzle-fw2019
Photo by Brinkhoff Mogenburg
El Bizarro: Glamour! Danger! Freaks!
If you’re ready for something wild, El Bizarro is the show for you. In an all-out spectacle that has had past audiences fainting and throwing up (trust me, I’ve seen it for myself) the big question is – can you handle it? If you think you’ve got what it takes, nab yourself a front ticket and get a close up look as you’re lovingly pushed way, way beyond your comfort zone with a rollercoaster ride of sideshow, cabaret and variety marvels, sources from across the globe. El Bizarro is a celebration of the bizarre, a vibrant, energetic and fun spectacle that is sexy and shocking in equal mix. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but in my world? Don’t try and tell me you’ve Fringed if you haven’t see El Bizarro!
PS – everything you’ve heard about El Bizzaro? It’s true.
When: 6th – 10th Feb, 13th – 17th Feb at 9:30pm
Where: The Gold Digger, Fringe Central
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/el-bizarro-glamour-danger-freaks-fw2019
Photo by Jan Zwartkruis
Little Death Club
Promising to be the darkest, funniest and most debauched kabarett club this side of Berlin, the Queen of Weimar punk Kabarett Bernie Dieter (of EastEnd Cabaret fame) brings together a dysfunctional family of misfits, miscreants and fantastic freaks for an hour of inappropriate, provocative and hilarious performances. Back with a brand new show for 2019, yyou can expect Berrnie’s travelling family of misfits to include the 7ft glamonoster Gingzilla, fire-eating bearded lady bombshell Lolo Brow, gender-bending aerial contortionist Beau Sargent (La Soiree) and psycho siren Leah Shelton, coming together for a hazy night of dangerously funny kabarett, breathtaking circus and fire-breathing sideshow.
PS – There’s no fourth wall, no rules, and believe me when I say, no seat is safe.
When: 18th – 31st Jan at 8:15pm
Where: Edith Spiegeltent, Yagan Square
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/little-death-club-fw2019
Photo by Theresa Harrison
Betty Grumble: Love & Anger
A genius, hilarious, transformative, sensuous and obscene revelation? Now that sounds like a must see. After sell out seasons all around the world, Betty Grumble is back with her unique and jubilant womanifesto, protest party and long hard kiss. Witness her ecosexually charged flesh riot ritual of dancing dissent, disco and deep push back-ery, where pleasure is a radical act and the body a bloody love letter. Wanna reclaim the female body, it all its jiggle and juiciness? This is the place to be.
When: 2nd – 4th Feb, 8th – 9th Feb at 8:20pm
Where: Shambles at the Woodside Pleasure Garden
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/love-anger-fw2019
Want to see some of my Fringe World reviews from previous years? Here they are.
