Our naughty and nice picks from the FRINGE WORLD 2025 program

We may be physically back at work, slaving away at our desks… But mentally and spiritually, we’re already soaking up the vibrant vibes of FRINGE WORLD 2025.

Offering a dazzling array of theatre, comedy, music, performance and more from January 17 until February 16, there’s literally hundreds of shows (500+!) to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets.

Here’s a bunch to look out for below, though we recommend heading to the FRINGE WORLD website to start planning your own Fringe frolicking fun!

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett

Are you ready to experience the hottest kabarett club east of Berlin? Bernie Dieter returns to Perth for a sizzling headline season at FRINGE WORLD 2025, with a world class menagerie of dangerously funny kabarett, breathtaking circus, gender-bending aerial and hair-hanging sideshow soundtracked by Bernies infamous haus band.

Mummy’s Plastic TV World

Perth’s late night lothario herself, comedian Rose KB is returning for another season of her signature Mummy’s Plastic mayhem! From the depths of the Rechabite Basement to the penthouse heights of Connie’s Rooftop, you’ll be able to catch four separate Mummy’s Plastic shows, each for just one night only… Whether you’re getting another taste of the award-winning ROSE [LIVE], checking out ART SHANK (the art world’s take on Shark Tank), soaking up the vibrational abundance of CHANWELL, or getting romantic at the very daring DATE NIGHT.

History of House

Ready for a boogie? Award-winning auditory extravaganza History of House is returning this year, reimagining decades of dance and house music through the transcendent voices of Soweto Gospel Choir and the stylings of Australia’s DJ Groove Terminator. Make sure to wear your dancing shoes!

Briefs Factory

The incomparable Briefs Factory are returning to Fringe World with not just one, but two thrilling shows this summer – bringing unique blend of burlesque, cabaret, circus, and all-out spectacle! They kick off with the opening weekend premiere of Knickers – a fearless, all-female affair that flips the script on traditional cabaret and showcases some of the worlds most powerful performers. Knickers is then followed up by Jealousss – a high-octane mix of circus, drag, and the fiercest burlesque acts imaginable.

Perth Secrets History Tour – starring Famous Sharron

Join the one and only Famous Sharron on a walking tour to discover the secrets, scandals and hidden histories of Perth and Northbridge. With silent disco headphones in hand and armed with Google Maps, the rambunctious Perthonality will show you a side of Perth you’ve never seen before – with plenty of laughs along the way!

Adore Händel’s Little Black Book

Descend into the Rechabite’s basement for the incorrigible charm and fanciful narratives of 18th century raconteur Adore Händel. This drag cabaret blends opera, pop classics and original songs for an hour of pansexual excellence and paramours aplenty!

The Kaye Hole

International sensation Reuben Kaye (“The Evil Love Child Of Liza Minnelli And Jim Carrey”) brings the hottest late night ticket in town back for another season! For two nights only, experience the riskiest and most diverse acts from across the festival, backed by the high-octane sound of a live band: “Queer, messy, fast, loose and f*cking hilarious”!

Fountain Lakes In Lockdown: A Drag Parody Play

Find out what Australia’s foxiest morons got up to during the pandemic in this drag parody of beloved icons Kath & Kim. “It’s August 2021. Kath is up to pussy’s bow in sour dough bread, Kim’s been asked to work from home (though that happened long before the pandemic) and Sharon has had a severe reaction to all the hand sanitiser.” It’s noice, it’s different, it’s unusual!

Guy Williams – If you mildly criticise me I’ll say it’s cancel culture and turn to the alt right

Fresh off appearances on Taskmaster NZ, Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee NZ, New Zealand Today and more, Kiwi comedian and faux journalist Guy Williams brings his latest stand-up show to our shores: an hour of mayhem, frustration, self-deprecation and laughs.

Kevin Kopfstein presents Haunted

Scottish Storyteller and Paranormalist Kevin Kopfstein presents his Fringe World premiere, Haunted, to The Brass Monkey. A show of ghostly tales with a collection of hauntiques like a Vampire Hunting kit from the 1800s, Kopfstein’s show was a complete sellout at Adelaide last year – get amongst it if you dare!

Messy Friends: Party Favours

Perth’s award-winning drag troupe, MESSY FRIENDS, are coming in hot fresh off an acclaimed run at Edinburgh, and they’re back with a brand new show: Messy Friends: Party Favours. Strap in for a wild ride through the glittering chaos of late ‘nineties’90s and early ’00s party nostalgia, college movie archetypes and sex comedies. It’s party pop culture with a queer twist! Catch Messy Friends at The Rechabite and Party Favours in The Pleasure Garden.

Rob Carlton – Willing Participant

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to comedy at Fringe once again this year, and Rob Carlton’s Willing Participant is one of many highlights on the program. Carlton has had a big couple of years on screen with roles in Black Snow, North Shore and Boy Swallows Universe, and he brings an hilarious one-hour show filled with sexual taboos, big lies, deep heartaches… and blind hope! Tickets here.

K Mak at the Planetarium

Following sell-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, K Mak brings her arresting show to the Perth Planetarium at Scitech. Weaving cello, violin, synths, beats and vocals into stirring cinematic soundscapes, her four piece band urges you through the outer universe with tailored visuals splayed across The Planetarium’s 18m domed ceilings.

Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers

Coming off an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023 and hit runs at the 2022-2024 Edinburgh Fringe, Accordion Ryan is bringing his talents to the Perth for a fun-packed hour of popular tunes, played live on you guessed it, the accordion. It is an interactive experience combining elements of music, comedy, and cabaret, and you’re basically guaranteed to find yourself singing along throughout the night.

Crème de la crème Cabaret

From the creators of GODZ, Crème de la crème Cabaret is an incredible display of the hottest acts in this year’s Fringe Festival for a variety night like no other! Expect world-class acrobatics from seasoned performers showcasing their weird and wonderful talents, great skits and physical comedy, all provided by the charming boys from Head First Acrobats. Strictly adults only – grab tickets here.

Sarah Ison – You Laugh, Therefore I Am

After four years performing comedy across Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, Sarah Ison is returning to WA with a show that combines centuries of philosophy with a strong serving of her own existential dread to answer the age-old question: What on earth is the point? If that doesn’t strike a chord with you then we want some of what your having, otherwise we’ll see you at Sarah’s show to examine the paintings, writings and works of the intellectual giants of our time, who Sarah is absolutely, definitely, totally just as smart as. Tickets here.

A Simple Space

Acclaimed show A Simple Space returns to Perth with an all new cast in 2025 – a contemporary circus without the razzle dazzle, where human connection and physical mastery take centre stage. Seven acrobats from multi award-winning South Australian company Gravity and Other Myths (GOM) let down their guards to explore the balance between trust and competition, pushing their bodies to the limit as they showcase their exceptional skill. They’re in town the whole month – grab tickets here.

#SwifTok

A one-man stage show by a self-confessed ultimate Swiftie, #SwiftTok is the brainchild of performer Dean Robinson. Who, following a successful stint at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, is bringing his show to the west coast for the first time, showcasing his unique brand of humour and insight into celebrity obsession. If you’re down for a deep dive into the hilarious nature of online stan culture and the TikTok generation, a night with Dean is what you need.

Charlie Caper: Robot MAGIC

This world premiere features world class magic and an extraordinary mechanical ensemble, including a state-of-the-art mechatronic dog straight out of Black Mirror, Bob – an advanced AI research social robot, and an eccentric cast of custom-built automatons. Watch in amazement as thoughts become surreal landscapes, the First Law of Thermodynamics takes a nap, and robots wonder how much you have to think to therefore be. Catch Charlie at The Pleasure Garden over the full month of Fringe – tickets here.

Manbo

Look out Stallone, Sam Dugmore is back by popular demand, locked and loaded as the greatest action hero of all time, unearthing his ruthless man skills to confront his worst nemesis…himself. Expect chaos, ’80s singing, dancing, workout montages, explosions, evil Russians, suppressed raw male emotion and a dog called Fluffy. Extremely camp, extremely silly, extremely entertaining, extremely MANBO.

Barbaroi

Gangs overrun the neon-clad side streets, the underbelly and outcasts dominate the forgotten ruins of the old district. Chaos reigns in the shadows… Prepare for a high-octane, acrobatic spectacle that will pull you into a cyberpunk world of wild, daring circus at Barbaroi.

Becky Steepe – Cancer Card

An hilarious story about what happens when you’re dealt the cancer card and have to bluff your way to a win, Becky Steepe uses her sharp wit and fearless humour to turn the deeply personal experience of being a youngish person with stage 4 bowel cancer into an unforgettable night of laughter and resilience. We’re talking everything from chemo farts to bizarre/frustrating encounters with the healthcare system and everything in between.

TAB Family

Get ready for an electrifying experience with TAB Family, the Boorloo-based music project founded by Nigerian-born Producer, DJ, and Percussionist Ayo Busari and co-fronted by dynamic singer/songwriter and rapper Ayuba SOQS. This powerhouse ensemble blends Afro-Pop, Alt-Pop, soulful RnB, contemporary Afro-beat, and Hip-Hop for an incredibly engaging and entertaining two nights of deep grooves. Tickets here.

Header image: Adore Händel