Fringe World 2024 program launch with new L’Euro Grande hub at European Foods Warehouse

Fringe World 2024 is shaping up to be a revitalised festival full of summer fun goodness to surprise and delight, with a focus on new shows, new venue and new hub experiences.

Presented by Artrage under incoming chief executive Jo Thomas, next year’s offering on from January 19 to February 18 currently sits at 519 events across 100 venues, with more acts likely to be added in the lead up.

“We’re looking ahead with a renewed energy and a renewed excitement,” Fringe World producer Kylie Baker said.

“It’s the closest we’ve ever been in the last three years to be able to get back to pre-pandemic days. So it’s not the scale of 2020, which was one of our biggest festivals ever, but we’re absolutely back on track to getting to that level, which is such a joy.”

The Perth Cultural Centre rejuvenation project has put the Urban Orchard on hiatus, with the European Foods Warehouse on Francis Street in Northbridge being transformed into a new hub called L’Euro Grande.

At an 804-seat capacity, it will be the biggest venue Fringe World has ever had and will feature tiered ticketing prices to include cabaret tables, premium and affordable ticketing options.

“It’s ideal for its location so close to The Pleasure Garden (at Russell Square),” Baker said.

“Northbridge is our spiritual home as well as Perth Cultural Centre. The Pleasure Garden and Perth Cultural Centre is the birthplace of Fringe World, and so being able to have a venue that is so close to the action was what really got it over the line for us. The space is incredibly flexible for logistical reasons as well, so building a venue in there is something that we can achieve and we just felt that it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

The Pleasure Garden entrance facing Francis Street will be opened for public access, providing a direct link down Francis Street between the two hubs, with Francis Street also the new location for Fringe World’s Lotterywest Sunday Funday on January 21.

“There are independent venues nearby that are going to be able to benefit from all of that foot traffic as well, which is a huge goal of ours, to really amp up our independent venues as well,” Baker said.

Accessibility is key, both in locations and also the rising cost of living, with a new Two-for-One Early Bird Ticket price initiative, remaining true to the event’s open access model.

Baker said they hoped Fringe-goers discovered a renewed excitement for the festival and a renewed love of Perth.

“It’s still an incredibly unique festival to WA,” she added.

“I was lucky to go to Edinburgh Fringe this year and Adelaide Fringe, and those festivals are incredible and immense and very impactful. But being a Perth girl myself and just seeing the evolution of the arts community, and Fringe World having such a huge play and involvement in that development, it makes me really proud to be from here and it makes me proud to work for a festival that really champions the arts. I hope our audiences get a sense of pride.

“It’s bringing in a lot of new experiences, a lot of shows and a lot of artists that our Perth customers may not normally get to see. It’s there for everybody to enjoy.”

Fringe World 2024 is on January 19 to February 18. Full program on sale now at fringeworld.com.au.

BIG SHOWS

Bernie Deiter’s Club Kabarett and Hans: Disco Spectakular premieres at L’Euro Grande as annual favourite Briefs: Dirty Laundry also strut their stuff at the new venue too.

Reuben Kaye returns to The Rechabite to premiere Reuben Kaye: World War Me. The venue is also set to host History of House, a collaboration between DJ Groove Terminator and Soweto Gospel Choir as they journey through the history of dance music.

NEWBIES

Antihero: A Toast to our Real Friends, Taylor and Swifties by Perth’s Tone Deft Choir is promising friendship bracelets and hits spanning ten Tay-Tay albums, while award-winning cult cabaret An Evening Without Kate Bush pays glorious tribute to the music, fans and mythology of another influential voice in pop music.

The award-winning dystopian cyberpunk circus showdown Barbaroi finally makes its way to Fringe World, the high-octane acrobatic show ready to take audiences down a gritty, cyberpunk rabbit hole of wild, daring circus.

RETURNING FAVS

Head First Acrobats are winging their way back to WA with their smorgasbord of sexy, skill-filled shows including Railed, Godz, Crème de la Crème and family friendly offering PreHysterical Circus.

Identical twins Patrick and Hugo McPherson brought their debut sketch comedy show Pear from Edinburgh to Perth early this year where it won the Critic’s Choice Award. The brothers return with offerings on the program of Pear: But Braver, Colossal and The Way Way Deep.

FOR THE FAM

There is a whole lot of love for family friendly shows including magic moments of illusion at Charlie Caper: Magical and The World’s Most Magical Monkey, Kinetica’s 2 Outrageous circus celebration and solo circus performance The Dreamer by Robbie Curtis, a kaleidoscope of circus, illusion, magic, physical comedy and dance inspired by a Charlie Chaplin aesthetic.

LOTS OF LAUGHS

It would not be Fringe World without a side-splitting line-up of comedians and 2024 will be not different, including comedy shows from Rhys Nicholson, Geraldine Hickey, Tom Gleeson, Arj Barker, Bron Lewis, Dave O’Neil, Emo Majok, He Huang, Lizzy Hoo, Tom Cashman and Ray O’Leary.

A SAUCY SIZZLE FACTOR

With titles such as Moist, Tethered, Wet and Filthy: 4u, it is no surprise these cheeky shows have an 18+ restriction. There is also a Bubble Show for Adults Only 2, which is worth popping in for an experience.