The Perth Fringe World Festival is the largest annual event in Western Australia, offering a variety of entertainment for everyone! Don’t miss it this year!
??Perthians, rejoice! ? ?
The Perth Fringe World Festival returns to Perth, Western Australia this year in 2017, and its bigger, brassier, bolder and full of more entertainment variety than ever before.
Commencing Friday, 20th January 2017, Fringe will run over four weeks across traditional and non-traditional ‘hubs’ and venues throughout City of Perth and beyond, until finishing on Sunday 19th February. The major Fringe hubs that gain the most attraction are The Pleasure Garden at James St in Northbridge, Perth Cultural Centre and Russel Square.
Often referred to as the “summer smorgasbord of entertainment“, this years Fringe program is packed to the rim of new, exciting shows and the return of familiar ones too. You have plenty of variety to choose from, with the line up ranging from comedy, circus, free and family entertainment, theatre, visual arts, music and musicals, to dance and cabaret presented by a mixture of West Australian homegrown artists and international performers that come from all over the world.
That’s right – there’s something for absolutely EVERYONE at the 2017 Perth Fringe World Festival!
De Parel Spiegeltent. Photo by John Marshall
In the locally famous De Parel Spiegeltent. Photographer: Tobey Black
The Pleasure Garden in Northbridge. Photo by John Leonard.
?️Getting Tickets & Searching the Lineup ?
With so many awesome things happening at Perth Fringe this year, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The 2017 program includes more than 700 events held at over 150 venues all over Perth. All events in the program can be viewed here. You also purchase tickets from the Fringe World Website, and they also have a handy guide here to help.
If you’d prefer to browse the program in a hard copy format, then you can order a copy and the team at Fringe World will deliver it to your home for free. Sign up here for home delivery. Alternatively, next time you’re in the City of Perth, stop by one of the Fringe Hubs and get your hard copy line up flyer there.
The average ticket price is at $24. With Fringe only coming round once a year, many go on a “Fringe Binge” and see a bunch of shows. Some shows will sell out before the Festival even begins to start your Fringe planning now!
Photo of Fringe Perth Cultural Centre. Photo by Cam Campbell.
FRINGE WORLD Mermaids in The Pleasure Garden. Photo by Jarrad Seng
? ?Top Acrobat & Circus Shows this year at Perth Fringe ? ?
With so many genres and shows to choose from, I figured I’d focus this blog on the acrobat and circus genres, which are very popular with all ages, serving as great all-round family entertainment.
I mean, you really can’t go wrong with a quality circus show that leaves everyone gasping in disbelief during the show, and then walking out thinking “how did they do that?”
Now lets get started! Here are my top favourites to look out for. (And don’t forget to book your tickets, because they may sell out soon!)
1. La Soirée (La Soirée Australia)
The Edith Spiegeltent, Cathedral Square
Cnr Hay and Barrack St and St Georges Terrace
Last year in 2016, La Soirée was the must see show of the Perth Fringeword season. I saw it with friends in 2016 and thought it was phenomenal. Especially the awe-inspiring “bubble” act which had everyone talking.
“Direct from London’s West End, the award-winning smash hit from Fringe World 2015 & 2016 is back as the centrepiece of the brand new Fringe Luxe hub at Cathedral Square! The sensation that has left millions spellbound and in hysterics returns with a brand new show and its hottest line-up yet”
(Editor’s Note: La Soirée is a very sentimental show to me, as my father passed away during the time I was watching the show last year at Fringe Perth 2016. I don’t want to put a damper on this article by starting it off on a sad note like this, but I thought I’d share from the heart that La Soirée is a great show, very moving, but also very funny too. I’ll be seeing it again his year.)
- Ages 18+ only
- Duration: 2 hours
- Rating: ‘Very Hot’ – coarse language, nudity content, sexual references content
- Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
La Soiree – More Info + Book Here
2. Circus Freak Show (Zap Circus)
Salon Perdu Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden
Russel Square, James Street, Northbridge
Direct from Las Vegas, and having toured across the world to sold out shows (and winning awards along the way), Circus Freak Show is not to be missed this year at Fringe.
Circus Freak Show is all about pushing the boundaries of human endurance, where you can see a contortionist fit into an impossibly small box, fire-eaters consume red-hot flames, machetes juggle through a blindfold, and be amazed by “The Bed of Jagged Nails”.
- All ages
- Duration: 1 hour
- Rating: ‘Medium’ – coarse language, a dark theme with no nudity, violence or profanity
- Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Circus Freak Show – More Info + Book Here
3. Elixir (Head First Acrobats)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
I’m going with a large group of friends going to Elixir – there must be about 12 of us going. Sooooo excited! I’ll update this section when I see the show to let you know what I think of it 🙂
The Bio of Elixir – fresh from their sold out and award winning tour of the United Kingdom, Head First Acrobats are back in Australia and are touring their internationally acclaimed show Elixir. Elixir is circus like you have never seen before, uninhibited by cliche or expectation, subversive and hilarious at the same time.
Acrobats fly 5 metres into the air on the teeterboard, spin upside down on the mesmerising roue cyr wheel, perform incredible one arm handstands on wobbling canes, and balance on nothing but their heads on a swinging trapeze.
Elixir is an incredible display of acrobatics and physical comedy, tied together with an eccentric narrative. An action packed hour of circus, with a cohesive story from start to finish. The story follows three bumbling (albeit handsome) scientists who attempt to create the elixir of life. The mayhem that follows is a beautiful mix of incredible acrobatics and impeccable comic timing.
- Ages 15+
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Rating: ‘Medium’ – coarse language, sexual references content
- Facebook, Instagram
4. Limbo (Strut & Fret Production House)
The West Australian Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
Limbo is a Cabaret Award winner from the creators of Blanc de Blanc, described as a sinister netherworld of dirty & dangerous circus meets cabaret. In a magnificent 1920s inspired Spiegeltent, this sow is a celebration of otherworldly proportions with music being the dominating force of the production.
LIMBO’s stunning international cast also features: Coney Island’s sword swallower and vintage beauty, Heather Holliday; French gravity-defying Chinese pole master, beatboxer and clown, Mikael Bres; Australia’s acrobatic dancing sensation Hilton Denis; and mind-bending French contortionist and acrobat, Aurelien Oudot.
Apparently Madonna came twice! (lol, that’s what they say!)
- Ages 15+
- Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Rating: ‘Hot’ – with mild sexal references content
- Facebook, Instagram
5. “4 + 4 = 4” (The Xamels)
Black Flamingo, The Pleasure Garden,
James Street, Northbridge
4 People. 4 Ropes. 4 Lives. Hence the show is 4+4=4. This is a unique production where they explore various facets of each personality, abstractly expressed by the interaction with a vertical rope, supported by the other members in either aerial or floor terms.
Moving through lyrical or humorous moments the work is a reflection on the duality of the performers personality existing between the ‘day job’ and the passion for this art form, presented as a natural world in a cinematic mutual agreement between them and the audience.
Deep. I’ll be putting this on my To See list fo sho.
- All Ages
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Rating: ‘Medium’ – with mild sexal references content
- Facebook, Instagram
The Xamels – More Info + Book Here
6. Stuntmen of the Apocalypse: Fear of the Dark (4 Stuntments)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
A show for the guys, perhaps? Not to say us ladies can’t stomach it, that is! 😉
Said to be the most dangerous show in the entire Fringe World returns with an ALL NEW SHOW and ALL NEW STUNTMEN. “Four circus freaks” (their swords, not mine) put their bodies and souls on the line.
I imagine it will be a riveting, edge-of-your-seat thrilling show and I’ll see if my boyfriend is keen to go with me as I definitely won’t miss this one. It features a ‘strongman’, a ‘samurai’, a ‘danger-man’ and a ‘mentalist’. This is a show not to be missed!
- Ages 15+
- Duration: 1 hour
- Rating: ‘Very Hot’ – with course language, nudity content, depictions of violence content, sexual references content
- Facebook, Instagram
4 Stuntment of the Apocalypse – More Info + Book Here
7. Circus 9 to 5 (Kinetica)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
If you’re looking for a family production with high quality entertainment and young talent – check out Kinetica’s show, Circus 9 to 5. You’ll also be supporting homegrown talent when you see this show! 🙂
Kinetica is a WA contemporary circus that fuses awe-inspiring aerials with dance and storytelling, regularly performing for festivals, corporate and community events throughout Australia, while also running a circus school based in Malaga that is sponsored by Healthway and Act-Belong-Commit to teach classes for all ages and abilities.
- All Ages
- Duration: 1 hour
- Rating: ‘Mild’ – no content warnings
Circus 9 to 5 – More Info + Book Here
8. By A Thread (One Fell Swoop Circus)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
Nine acrobats and 30 metres of rope. GASP!
About By a Thread: A new ensemble circus creation, exploring the relationship between trust and play on an innovative aerial apparatus. Long spools of white rope run through pulley sheaves and wrap around bodies, explicitly connecting the artists’ movements above and off the ground. Like the booms and sheets of a sailing ship the performers are hoisted and swung by one another to create striking tableaux and breath-taking dynamics. The actions of one acrobat affect and implicate the movements of others in a precise negotiation of cause and effect.
Or in other words: marvel at these sexy, strong, skilled people perform inventive aerial acrobatics and show off their spectacular skills.
- All Ages
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Rating: ‘Medium’ – no content warnings
By a Thread – More Info + Book Here
9. Barbu (Arts Projects Australia & Cirque Alfonse)
Salon Perdu Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden
Russell Square, James Street, Northbridge
Described as “Daring, Daft and Sexy as Hell”, BARBU conjures a strange and wonderful world, fusing traditional and contemporary circus with a beautiful irreverence.
It was the most talked about show of Adelaide’s Fringe 2016, said to be hilarious, audacious, surreal and spectacular. It’s performed by one of the world’s greatest circus companies – Canada’s Cirque Alfonse – delivering edge-of-your-seat entertainment set to a thundering electro-trad soundtrack from the skilful and frenetic live band.
Also if you appreciate a good beard and nice facial hair, then this show is for you! I’ll be putting this one on my to watch list too.
- Ages 15+
- Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Rating: ‘Mild’ – mild nudity content, mild sexual references content
- Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
10. Steampunk Revolution (Fantasy Performance Company)
The Regal Theatre – Main Auditorium
474 Hay Street, Subiaco
Calling all steampunk genre fans and appreciators, here’s a show that will truly win your heart!
Aerial and Fire Arts have always held a romanticised curiosity to audiences worldwide. Much like the Steampunk genre, Aerial and Fire combine both the possible and the impossible to bring its audience into a world full of bewilderment and fantasy!
Fantasy Performance Company will take you into the dark Victorian based era of Steampunk, and propel you on a journey into the skies where they bring the Steampunk fantasies to flight in a Fire, Dance and Aerial extravaganza.
- All Ages
- Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Rating: ‘Mild’ , no content warnings
- Facebook, Instagram
Steampunk Revolution – More Info + Book Here
11. Interplay (Kinetica)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
“Interplay” tells a story of chance meetings and unexpected interactions as the characters discover the real meaning of human connection in the modern age. It’s raw circus, up close and personal: a celebration of close encounters of the hilarious, sexy and cirque kind.
Work place rivalries are taken to new heights, a chance encounter on the train takes an unexpected twist and a Tinder date goes hilariously out of control; no topics are off-limits in this exploration of modern relationships that is sure to hit close-to-home.
From the company that brought you the Fringe World sell-out sensations “Dark Matter” and “Sinsuality” in 2016 and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2015, Kinetica continues to push the boundaries of entertainment and innovation with their latest show.
- Ages 15+
- Duration: 1 hour
- Rating: ‘Medium’ with mild sexual references content
Interplay – More Info + Book Here
12. Hardly Working (Poncho Circus)
The Lunar Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
Hardly Working is a hilarious new show of slapstick, satire and physical comedy by Poncho Circus. A space that is often boring and unimaginative is filled with unexpected surprises, office supplies like never before and spectacular circus.
Poncho Circus bring their familiar sense of humour, style and high energy to the stage for their fourth theatre production. They have some of the best acrobats this country has to offer showing off their unique skills and talents.
If you want to be taken away on an unlikely adventure where you will gasp, clap and cheer then this is the show for you.
- All Ages
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Rating: ‘Mild’ with mild coarse language and mild depictions of violence content
- Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Hardly Working – More Info + Book Here
13. Element of Consequence (TEOC)
Black Flamingo, The Pleasure Garden
James Street, Northbridge
Winner of the 2016 Melbourne Fringe, Best Emerging Artist and 2016 Gasworks Circus Showdown, TEOC bring their unique dialogue of movement and circus to life with a fluid sense of chaotic choreography. The cast has an inimitable sassy style with their skill set and are dauntlessly breaking all the rules. These circus strong women perform with elegance, power and beauty.
Their show, The Element of Consequence explores what happens to a regular circus act when additional factors are introduced. When bodies entangled in rope are pushed off balance and props are stolen mid-trick. Delving into the absurd, four fiery female acrobats entwine their skills and bodies to create a world where gravity doesn’t always pull downwards.
This female acrobatic ensemble will leave audiences dumbfounded of their grace and awe-inspiring power. I’m keen to see it!
Element of Consequence – More Info + Book Here
14. Sinsuality 2: Back In Bed (BarbieQ & Kinetica)
De Parel Spiegeltent
Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
Here’s one for those who want something a little deeper, darker, sexier and naughtier.
Sinsuality 2 explores the 7 deadly sins with sexuality, fetish and dark circus.
A runaway hit of Fringe World 2016, the saucy and talented cast of Sinsuality returns with a new twisted journey of discovery featuring contortion and aerial acrobatics from Kinetica, luscious burlesque from Sugar du Joure, fierce pole dance from Ruby Lai and hosted by the naughty mistress BarbieQ.
A cabaret with a difference, let your favourite characters sweep you away into a world of seduction and sin.
- Ages 18+ (Minors may attend with a parent or legal guardian)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Rating: ‘Very Hot’ – strong course language, nudity content, depictions of violence content, sexual references content. Recommended fo 18+, unsuitable for anyone under 16 years of age.
- Facebook, Instagram
Sinsuality 2 Back in Bed – More Info + Book Here
15. Fearless (MAXIMA & Mandurah Performing Arts Centre)
De Parel Spiegeltent
Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
Hubbub Fishtrap Theatre, The Boardwalk,
Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah
Fearless is fast-paced, action packed, gutsy and a ‘dangerously’ magical & fun show for the whole family. It’s a show essentially about experiencing fear and overcoming it to the point it makes you feel alive!
Imagine enclosed spaces, dizzying heights, flying & falling out of the sky. And snakes, spiders & sharks! Even Public speaking, going to the dentist, mice, rats, creepie crawlies – it begs the question… “What are you ‘most’ afraid of?”
Featuring daring aerials, breathtaking acrobatics, suspension, flying and falling, join our world class performers as they face their inner fears, phobias, and darkest thoughts to emerge FEARLESS, joyously unafraid of this crazy, wild and wonderful thing called life!
A world premiere by MAXIMA – Circus Beyond Limits, Australia’s newest, freshest Circus theatre company. Support homegrown talent and check Fearless out this year at Fringe!
Fearless – More Info + Book Here
16. Bizircus (City of Stirling’s Summerset Arts Festival)
Sunset Veranda – Big Top
Brighton Reserve, The Esplanade, Scarborough
Perth’s original comedy circus present spectacular non-stop acrobatic action, including juggling, handstands, tower of chairs, lasso, hilarious physical comedy and much more. Explosive entertainment for the whole family.
Bizircus began 20 years ago as a collective of acrobats, artists, street performers and musicians. Since then the company has been dedicated to creating fresh new circus comedy shows, combining contemporary physical comedy with timeless acrobatic feats and to keep audiences swinging between fits of laughter and gasps of amazement
They have performed at festivals and events from Paris to Hong Kong to popular and critical acclaim. They have represented Australia at the World Expo in Shanghai.
This event is proudly presented by the City of Stirling for the 2017 Summerset Arts Festival and is a world premiere by MAXIMA – Circus Beyond Limits, Australia’s newest, freshest Circus theatre company. Support Homegrown Talent!
Bizircus – More Info + Book Here
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Did I miss any acrobat/circus shows from this list? Let me know, and I’ll add them on here!
Hope everyone has a great time at the Perth Fringe World Festival this year! Would love to hear what shows you visited! Comment below and share your experience! 🙂
Tahnee
2 comments
I can’t seem to subscribe!!
Hi Narelle,
Oh no! Is my website behaving badly? Sorry that there is a technical glitch, I’ve got two subscribe options – one that is featured on my homepage (if on mobile scroll right to the bottom) and then I recently added a Pop-Up Subscribe Box.
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Tahnee