The Sitchu Guide to Melbourne Fringe Festival 2018

Melbourne Fringe Festival is back for another year with over 440 events presented by 3,358 artists, across 150 venues in a big, bold celebration of independent arts. From 13^th – 30^th September the festival will transform the city into a buzzing playground where everyone is invited to play.

Not sure where to begin? To help plan your visit, we’ve rounded up the best shows, events and unmissable experiences Melbourne Fringe 2018 has to offer. You are welcome. 

Thy Neighbour (13^th- 21^st September: $26+BF)

A fiercely relatable comedy by Selina Jenkins that dives into the dark story of two women and their neighbours.

Hares & Hyenas: 63 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Jude Perl: I Have a Face (14^th– 21^st September: $32+BF)

An exciting adventure captained by performer Jude Pearl that aims to solve a collective of inner angst.

Fringe Hub: 521 Queensbury Street, North Melbourne

Queen of the Night (Friday 21^st September)

A glorious celebration of all things Whitney Houston by Little Ones Theatre at the Festival Club.

Fringe Hub: 521 Queensbury Street, North Melbourne

Sammy J – The 50 Year Show (Thursday 27^th September: $30+BF)

Renowned Australian comedian Sammy J attempts a time-travelling, death-defying theatrical experiment.

Northcote Town Hall: 189 High Street, Northcote

Pablo Francisco’s Australianator Tour (Thursday 27^th September: $70+BF)

Returning to Australia with his brand-new show, Pablo Francisco evokes boisterous laughter from the audience with his impeccable impersonations and sound effects.

The Athenaeum Theatre: 188 Collins Street, Melbourne

The Melbourne Fringe Festival Club is a non-stop nightly showcase of large-scale events tailored by Fringe. Dance parties, storytelling slams, circus extravaganzas, comedy showcases, a Year 10 formal. Open five nights a week from 6pm with two bars serving beer, wine and cocktails, its game on!

TOP PICKS:

1992-1-OMG! (Friday 14^th September)

Thought the ‘90s were over? Think again, Melbourne Fringe favourite is back. 

All That Glitters is Blak (Saturday 15^th September) 

Non-stop line-up of live contemporary music from First Nations artists, for a glorious celebration of the enduring legacy of First Nations art and music.

Test Drive (Tuesday 18^th September)

 Hosted by Nath Valvo, Test Drive hosts some of the best and brightest comedians for a laughter-fest as they premiere brand new material all in seven minutes.

Circus Battle Royale (Wednesday 19^th September)

The Festival Club transforms into a ropes-and-all wrestling ring and prepping it for a showdown of epic proportions, hosted by the Great Gordo Gamsby, and presented by Circus Trick Tease and Melbourne Fringe. 

Femme Fresh (Thursday 20^th September)

For a fearless celebration of all things femme, performance-art duo The Huxleys host a plethora of perverse performances, obtuse ensembles and subversive solos.

Festival Club: 521 Queensbury Street, North Melbourne

This year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival boasts an impressive range of free events and dares to ask Melbourne if it’s game to join in and play? Here are some of the best free experiences at this year’s Festival

Free Comedy @ Highlander (14^th -29^th September)

Check out the hottest free comedy acts right in the heart of the city at Highlander Bar.

Spotlight Stage (Saturday 15^th September)

Fed Square comes alive once again with the genre-defying Spotlight Stage, an afternoon bursting at the seams of free family friendly acts. Hilarious street performers, up-and-coming comedians, circus and acrobatics will have palms sweating and hearts racing.

Surface Area (27^th – 29^th September)

Surface Area attempts to find comfort in the curves of a large half-pipe in Prahran Skate Park.

KWABO from Benin (18^th -22^nd September)

At Queen Victoria Market ,Kwabo (or welcome in Fon, a language of Benin), is an open invitation to experience the Afrobeat dance grooves of Benin, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

Critical Mass: Rally (22^nd September) 

Join the artists of Critical Mass in a crowding of crucial ideas by taking to the streets of Brunswick in a rally come public art happening.

If you’re looking for an experience that will test your boundaries, here are some of Melbourne Fringe’s most unique, one-of a kind events.

Sleepover Gurlz  (13^th-23^rd September: $30+BF)

It’s time to cuddle up and jump into one hell of a slumber party in a random inner north bedroom in this special performance by Emma Smith and Vidya Rajan.

Seen/Saw (13^th – 30^th September: $17.50+BF)

Join H. Clare Callow as she leads you through the back streets of Fitzroy in an immersive experience that explores and delves into themes of mental illness.

The Change: Revolutionary Hip-hop  (13^th – 15^th September: $20+BF)

Explore a fusion of cultures and historical political events through an interactive performance situated in an underground carpark.

Lake (16^th September)

Devised by visual artist and performer Nick Barlow and supported by the City of Moonee Valley, Lake explores two of our most precious resources, water and people, in a beautiful performance in central Strathmore.

This is Grayson (18^th – 30^th September: $30+BF)

Hop onto the bus and go for a surreal and immersive excursion through Newport's forgotten lands with a little girl called Grayson, who lives between worlds. 

Coburg Carnivale: nomnomnom (22^nd September) 

For those who’ve ever wondered what it's like to be a delivery food worker, you can now complete a series  of home deliveries to real houses in Coburg, armed with a roadmap, insulated delivery bag and signature nomnomnom visor.

For more information about the events and to book your tickets, visit the website.