Fringe Guide 2024: Hot nights filled with even hotter shows!

One thing that definitely makes easing back into the working year that much easier is the fact that Fringe World fires up every January.

Offering a dazzling array of theatre, comedy, music, performance and more from January 19 until February 18, there’s literally hundreds of shows 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!

Family-Friendly Fringe

As we mentioned there is an massive amount of shows to choose from, and the little ones are catered for better than ever in 2024. There’s too many to go through individually, with highlights including the incredibly popular Mermaid Splash Zone, Peter Combe’s return, PreHysterical Circus, The Little HOO-HAA!, Giant Balloon show, Freedom Fairies, Bubble Labatory and so much more. You can head to the Fringe World Children Filter to start planning your family-friendly adventure!

Comedy Gold

As always comedy is very well-represented at Fringe World in 2024, with a few different hubs around Perth to laugh your way around and guests from all over the world throwing up some laughs to help you escape the every day. Some of the comedy world’s biggest names are stopping by for some intimate shows around town, but the real ones will be getting out there to find the next big thing, and there’s ample opportunity to do exactly that!

Reuben Kaye’s Apocalipstik + The Kaye Hole

Perennial Fringe fave Reuben Kaye is back for not one but two shows, kicking off with the world premiere of his brand new show, Apocalipstik, the scandalous story of Reuben’s scoundrel Uncle. Kaye is backing it up with the return of the smash-hit variety show, The Kaye Hole, which will be the hottest late night ticket in town.

Comedy for corporates: work-life balance is for losers

Award-winning comedian and corporate sell-out James Clark brings his new show to Fringe, playing The Comedy Den at Neon Palms and Comedy Garden at The Craft Beer & Cider Garden from February 1-4. A must-see for any and all of us caught in the corporate rat race we call life, Clark will at least give you something to laugh about on your next freeway traffic jam commute. Tickets here.

The Dreamer

Choreographed by acrobat and dancer Robbie Curtis (Arc Circus Co, Cirque du Soleil, Circa, Circus Oz, Australian Ballet), The Dreamer is an appropriate-for-all-ages kaleidoscope of circus, illusion, magic, physical comedy and dance. Curtis swings from chandeliers, is seduced by a broom, becomes a sporting star and even caught on the high seas!

History of House with Soweto Gospel Choir

Calling all the groovers, movers and ravers – History of House is a collaboration between ARIA Award-winning DJ Groove Terminator and three-time Grammy®-winners Soweto Gospel Choir, going on a must-dance journey through the history of dance music. One of Australian dance music’s finest teamed up with the world’s greatest gospel choir on a journey that begins at disco in the ‘70s all the way to house at the end of the millennium? We’ll see you on the d-floor!

Comedy Bar Hop

Popular Perth comic Rory Lowe is running a very interactive Fringe show called Comedy Bar Hop, which as you may have guessed is a pub crawl mixed with comedy across the city! It’s happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night during Fringe, where you and your merry band of revellers will visit four different venues and catch a different comedian at each! Find out more details and grab tickets here.

Skeletons

Skeletons is the ridiculous true story from award-winning writer Kirsty Mann, sharing her secret confessional style – she’s a doctor! It’s scored rave reviews, especially at Edinburgh Fringe where it debuted last year.

Briefs: Dirty Laundry

One of last year’s highlights, The Briefs are back in town after a fully sold out run in 2023, and this year they’re airing their Dirty Laundry via a typically naughty cabaret show. It’s led by Fez Faanana AKA Shivanana and features some classic Briefs boys along with some shiny new ones (and toys) – explct glitter stains, intoxicating physicality, gob-smacking comedy, unapologetic truths, and ridiculous showmanship.

Fruits de la Passion

A night of French flair, heart-pounding dance numbers, burlesque acts that tease and tantalise and fabulous costumes, “Fruits de la Passion” features a star-studded ensemble comprising professional women, many balancing motherhood and full-time jobs, all leading a double life as movers and shakers in the world of burlesque. The eclectic collective has earned two coveted invitations to compete at the prestigious Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas – so you know you’re in for a rollicking good time.

Sinsuality: Hoedown

Strap on ya boots and saddle up for a rootin’ tootin’ good time as BarbieQ teams up with 2023 Fringe World WA Circus Award winners Kinetica for a night of highfalutin, high-flying hijinx. In a year filled with them, Sinsuality: Hoedown is shaping up to be the wildest ride of all.

It’s Up To You Tash York and Fringe as F**k

The Trash Queen of Cabaret, Tash York, is back with her beloved brand of comedy, cabaret and outrageous behaviour for her show, It’s Up To You Tash York. It’s a special choose your own adventure, as she navigates costume changes, song choices and even how much wine she’ll drink all based on the audience, joined by the Peppy Smears on the keys. Tash will also be the hostess with the mostess for Fringe as F**K – a completely improvised show where nothing is planned, except for guests having a deliciously deviant time.

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett

The iconic queen of punk kabarett, Bernie Dieter, returns to Perth straight from a smash hit three-month season on West End, for a dangerously devious show mixing breathtaking circus, gender-bending aerobatics, hair-hanging sideshows and of couse Bernie’s beloved haus band.

GODZ

Follow Cupid (the God of love), Hercules (the God of strength) and Dionysus (the God of wine) as they paint Ancient Greece red with the biggest party Mount Olympus has seen since the glory days of 500 BCE in GODZ. The hedonistic heroes from Head First bring their unique blend of circus storytelling to the stage, set to delight fans both new and old.

Taste Of Your Own Medicine

From a kidney stone that won’t pass, to central crushing chest pain in hotel quarantine (hasn’t everyone had that?), join Dr Ahmed on an epic (but relatable) journey of health adventures where we can all relate. Continuously selling out in past Fringe World’s consider this your warning to get a Taste of your own Medicine in 2024!

For more Fringe World goodness, head to our What’s On Calendar and filter the events by “FRINGE”.

Header Image Credit: Fringe World / Miles Noel