Everything to know about Melbourne Fringe 2023
There are more than 450 events in this year’s Melbourne Fringe - yes, more than four decades in, it’s the biggest ever. In this collection, you’ll find reviews of shows from comedy to art, theatre and dance as well as interviews and our guide to what’s on. The festival runs until October 22.
You’ll laugh, cry, and blush. Our guide to Melbourne Fringe
It’s hard to know where to start. But if it’s humour, pathos or shock value you’re after, this handy guide might help.
- by John Bailey
Mob has a meeting place at Melbourne Fringe’s Blak Lodge
A multidisciplinary hub at North Melbourne’s Meat Market has been home to a range of Deadly Fringe shows in this year’s festival.
- by Stephen A Russell
Manic multi-tasking: Endorphin levels surge in Fringe theatre Burnout
Fringe Theatre goes on the treadmill in Burnout Paradise while other shows offer high octane dance/theatre fusion, AI monsters and invitations into strangers’ loungerooms
- by Cameron Woodhead, John Bailey, Stephen A Russell, Cher Tan and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
Extended Rainbow History Class is a comedy treat
From Rainbow History lessons and victims of hacking to career changes and fart jokes, our reviewers take a look at the shows bringing the laughs, at Melbourne Fringe.
- by Donna Demaio, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Tyson Wray, Cher Tan, Cameron Woodhead, Nell Geraets, Hannah Francis and Lefa Singleton Norton
‘Dazzling’: Jose Navas’ homage is an exceptional night of dance
In other Fringe dance productions, Mechorstra shakes and shimmies, Shower Thots drips with sensual energy, Shian Law carries the weight of history, Leisa Prowd shows resilience and Joel Bray blurs gender and genre.
- by Andrew Fuhrmann, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Cher Tan, Stephen A Russell and Lefa Singleton Norton
The comedian taking on transphobia in a new show
Acclaimed comedian Anna Piper Scott plays an analogue of JK Rowling in a new play taking aim at anti-trans rhetoric.
- by Elizabeth Flux
It’s like Frankenstein’s monster: Sammy J’s wildly ambitious project
He may be well-known but the comedian turned broadcaster has Fringe in his DNA.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
It’s always a pleasure worshipping at The Church of the Clitori
The creators of this celebration of female bodies want their show to be “educational, hilarious and full of joy”.
- by Lenny Ann Low