The magic of FRINGE WORLD Festival 2020 begins!

FRINGE WORLD Festival 2020 kicks off today in a celebration of Summer and good times.

Perth's most popular annual festival, and the third largest Fringe in the world, brings all corners of Western Australia alive, from the city to the suburbs and far, far beyond. 

All are welcome to join the celebration in a spectacular opening weekend marking the start of the month-long festivities, from today until February 16.

Festival Director Amber Hasler said that FRINGE WORLD is when Perth transforms into a magical place with with a program that is overflowing with 700+ events at more than 150 venues.

“FRINGE WORLD is a magical time of year when we can all escape the everyday and embrace fun, frivolity and entertainment," she said. "This year our program has an incredible spread of shows for all ages and across all genres, and with the addition of a brand new Hub at Girls School, events taking place from Mandurah to Joondalup, Kalamunda to Scarborough and many suburbs in between. We are thrilled to see Fringe artists throughout all areas of Perth and can’t wait to kick off shows this Friday!” 

The Woodside Pleasure Garden, Perth's favourite Fringe playground, is brimming with delightfully enticing options. Karen from Finance is Out of the Office has all of her trademark high-camp and hilarious mashups, get dark and debaucherous at Bernie Dieter's Little Death Club and don't miss the boys from Railed who just love to show a bit of raunch with their Western themed circus. 

FRINGE WORLD only rolls around once a year and when it does, it’s time for the whole family to join in the fun. An expanded Fringe Kids program at The Woodside Pleasure Garden promises to deliver some tempting treats, no matter your age or taste. Families can enjoy the hugely popular FRINGE WORLD Mermaids frolicking in the Splash Zone, the magic of Milko's Flea Circus and Monski Mouse will have kids moving and grooving with Baby Disco Dance Hall. 

A short stroll from The Woodside Pleasure Garden, Fringe Central holds a myriad of entertainment choices. The spiritual birthplace of Fringe, here's where you can take a journey you won't experience anywhere else. Lose yourself in the immersive theatre of Flight and Seance, or buckle up and brace yourself as ginger, bearded, glamonster Gingzilla unleashes her signature style of song and sass!

The bell's ringing at FRINGE WORLD'S oldest/newest hub Girls School, and class is about to begin. Don't be late for Headmaster 'Almost Fumbledoor', who wants to meet with you in his office in Airy Botter and the Sorcery School, catch the return of Tony Galati the Musical or take a high-octane trip down the highway of 90s nostalgia in explosive style in Speed: The Movie, The Play. You'll be spoilt for choice with a heaving program that makes it the second largest Hub in the Festival.

Not sure where to start? Place yourself in our safe hands at Yagan Square, where you can catch some of Fringe's most sought-after shows. High-octance circus acts Fuego Carnal and Primo Loco bring their spectacle of record breaking phenomenal high risk arts and comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is back with his own brand of hypno laughs in Random Acts of Mindness. Aborigi-LOL: The Return are back (like a boomerang) as is Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths: By Request.

Round out your Fringe binge with a visit to the happy Hub, The Ice Cream Factory. A treasure trove of tasty treats, this is the place to kick up your heels and catch the highly anticipated debut of  the ultimate feelgood show, The Choir of Man. 

If you're looking for some inspiration to kick-start your Fringe journey, why not try before you buy at Yagan Square's The Meeting Place. Each weekend of the Festival, you can sample a free taster of some of the best and brightest shows the program has to offer with City of Perth FRINGE WORLD Power Hour. 

There are plenty of venues all over town getting into the Fringe festivities, putting together unmissable programs of quality shows. 

The newly restored The Rechabite joins Fringe for the first time to show off an incredible line-up of circus, burlesque and comedy shows. The iconic The Blue Room Theatre returns with a carefully and lovingly curated program of shows heaving with talent as part of the Summer Nights program and the hugely popular Aces at the Maj returns at WA's historic His Majesty's Theatre with a mix of cabaret and music.

There's heaps of good in the 'hood if you're looking for something a little closer to home. Pair a stunning waterfront sunset with a show at port city Fremantle or Scarborough's Sunset Veranda, get a little bit naughty and a whole lotta nice in 

Subiaco with it's delectable Subilicious program will come alive with the energy and excitement of pink-lit wonder at WonderRealm, Bassendean. South Perth's Southside Summer offering is bursting with fabulous free family fun and pop-up entertainment every Friday and Saturday of the Festival in the new piazza. With Fringe fun dotted all over the Perth metro area, you can experience a piece of Fringe magic no matter where you are! 

Get your good times rolling this opening weekend and experience FRINGE WORLD Festival's enchanting program of free and ticketed events. The full program, tickets, gift vouchers and general information can be found at fringeworld.com.au. Get in quick as some shows will sell out fast. 

FRINGE WORLD gratefully recognises the support of its partners including: Principal Supporter: Lotterywest; Government Partners: the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; the City of Perth and Tourism WA; and Principal Partners: Woodside; and Gage Roads Brewing Co.

Pictured above: Idris Stanton - Wham Glam Circus Man!

Pictured icon: The Choir of Man