Delegate Weekend is here

FRINGE WORLD’s inaugural Delegate Program is here, with six international arts industry professionals visiting Perth this weekend to experience Perth during the best time of year, Fringe time! 

The purpose of the Delegate Program is to build the profile of Western Australian shows (51% of the 500 shows in the Festival), creating international touring opportunities for the 2,500+ participating artists, stimulating greater visitation from arts industry representatives in the future, and boosting the WA economy through the raised tourism profile. 

Ms Burgess said that there are a range of ways that artists can engage with the Delegates. 

“These six industry professionals will see many FRINGE WORLD shows, participate in industry panels to share their experience and undertake one-on-one meetings with artists to facilitate touring opportunities.” Ms Burgess said. 

Delegates will also experience some of the best hospitality and tourism experiences that Perth has to offer, adding to their visit and positively enhancing the international profile of Western Australia and FRINGE WORLD Festival. 

The delegates are: 

Marina Dixon: Head of Programming at Underbelly Ltd, UK:  Marina has more than fourteen years’ experience curating programs for Underbelly for numerous festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London South Bank Festival, Somersault and Citadel Festival and Underbelly’s inaugural Asian Festival in Hong Kong.  She has been a judge and mentor for the Underbelly New Writing Scheme and previously worked at the BBC for the in-house production team.  

Holly McLaughlin: Comedy Producer & Promoter at Off The Kerb, UK: Comedy producer and promoter of live comedy shows on tour across the UK and at Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2019. She has also worked for Assembly Festival, Prague Fringe Festival, Edfringe Society, The Garden of Unearthly Delights and Melbourne Comedy Festival in various roles. Off The Kerb has established itself as one of the leading comedy agencies in the UK, discovering and managing some of the biggest and best names in comedy and entertainment since 1982.   

Wolfgang Hoffman: Director at Aurora Nova, Germany: Theatrical agent whose company represents internationally touring shows at venues and festivals world-wide. Before he became an agent, he worked as dancer, dance-theatre maker, festival director and venue manager. Wolfgang is highly regarded as a curator of festivals in Germany, Scotland and Ireland. For his tour booking agency he seeks out work that is highly artistic, innovative, and relevant to a wide international audience.   

Darren Lee Cole: Artistic Director of Soho Playhouse, USA: Artistic Director of SoHo Playhouse since 2004. Favorite projects have included: Producing; “Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette”, “ Phoebe Waller Bridge in Fleabag”,  “Daniel Sloss X”, “TJ & Dave”, “The Old Man and The Old Moon” with PigPen Theatre Co.,  “Killer Joe” by Tracy Letts (Vaudville Theatre, West End, London, Soho Playhouse NYC & The Theatre Chicago) “The Emperor Jones” (w/ Irish Rep) and “Laticia” at L’espace Marais (Paris).  Soho Playhouse is London's most vibrant producer for new theatre, comedy and cabaret, now developing and touring work across the UK and beyond. 

Alex Hall: Programmer & Producer at Assembly Festival, UK: Programmer and producer with Assembly Festival, the longest running curated multi-venue operator at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Assembly works closely with visiting companies to ensure they present a range and quality of work that will appeal to the festival audience.  

Lakesha Arie-Angelo: Associate Director at Soho Theatre, UK: Theatre Director, Writer, Dramaturg, Facilitator and Associate Director at Soho Theatre. Work as a Director includes: The Color Purple 2022 UK tour (for Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome); Sikisa-Life of the Party (Pleasance Theatre Edinburgh, Soho Theatre); Shuck ‘n’ Jive (Soho Theatre); soft animals (Soho Theatre- Offie Nominated); Summer Fest (The Bunker Theatre); The Hoes (Hampstead Theatre); Alive Day (Bunker Theatre) AS:NT (Theatre503 - as part of Rapid Write Response) and Prodigal (Bush Theatre - for ‘Artistic Directors of the Future Black Lives: Black Words’). As Staff Director: Trouble in Mind (National Theatre). 

The FRINGE WORLD Delegate Program runs from 9 to 15 February.

The 2023 Festival runs from 20 January to 19 February. Get tickets now at fringeworld.com.au or download the FRINGE WORLD app.  

FRINGE WORLD gratefully recognises the support of its partners including Principal Supporter: Lotterywest; and Government Partners: The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and The City of Perth 

Photo of Club D'Amour by Sean Breadsell