Fringe favourites…

First row; Conrad Koch, Despicable HeHe - Sarah Louise Young, An Evening Without Kate Bush - The BIG HOO HAA! © Shane Adamczak Second row; Michelle Pearson, Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia © Rachel Scholich - Soweto Gospel Choir © Stephen Garnett - History of House Third row; Circus The Show - Kevin Kopfstein, Haunted - Rose Bishop: Clap If You’re Mad At Me Far right; Joe White

Fringe World kicks off this month, from January 17, with a sizzling array of shows to whet every appetite. This year more than 18 local councils are on board with shows performing from Joondalup to Rockingham, Fremantle to Kalamunda, Mandurah and Bunbury. Perth city remains the epicentre of the festival and with more than 500 shows available to see, we have whittled down the list to give you our top ten picks.

The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music. During Fringe they will be performing their show Hope at The Rechabite in William Street on January 25, 28, 29 and February 4, 5, 7 – don’t miss this performance which leaves audiences energised and uplifted. 

Michelle Pearson with her incredible five-piece band will perform Down Under – The Songs that Shaped Australia at the courtyard at State Theatre Centre on January 30, 31 and February 1. This not-to-be-missed musical showcase features Australia’s favourite songs from Little River Band, INXS, Cold Chisel, Tina Arena and more. 

Continuing our musical theme is An Evening Without Kate Bush with Sarah Louise Young. It is an award-winning cult cabaret paying tribute to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in pop music. Playing at the Rehearsal Room at the State Theatre Centre from January 28 – 31 and February 2.

DJ Groove Terminator and the Soweto Gospel Choir have teamed up to present History of House – an award-winning celebration of dance music across the decades. From the moment the show begins until the final notes are sung it is one continuous feel-good time. Don’t miss this celebration of music at The Rechabite from January 23 -26, 30, 31 and February 1,2, 6–9.

Comedy plays a big part of Fringe World and one of our favourite performers is Joe White: Star of Channel 10’s reality TV show Hunted
– A Million Dollar Heist
and seen on Just for Laughs at the Sydney Opera House and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. Joe has been a Fringe World weekly comedy award winner four years in a row with his Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry show and this year plays Ground Floor Comedy at the Terrarium in St Georges Terrace from February 4 – 15 and Joe makes a special appearance at the Kalamunda Hotel on February 15 and 16.

Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian and playwright Rose Bishop will bring you an hour of fantastic stand up in a show you don’t want to miss… Clap If You’re Mad At Me will have you in stitches as Rose presents her show about cats, confidence, and the mortifying ordeal of being seen. Playing at The Laugh Resort at the Shoe Bar in the city from January 22 – 25. 

Puppets and comedy – a roller coaster ride will have you laughing in the aisles. What more could you want from South Africa’s multiple award winning comedy ventriloquist Conrad Koch than being a part of his hilarious show Despicable Hehe as he brings an hour of hilarity to The Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge from January 24 – 31 and February 1 and 2.

Scottish storyteller, comedian and paranormalist Kevin Kopfstein brings his haunting tales to Perth with his Haunted show which was a complete sell-out at the Adelaide Fringe. For more than 30 years Kopfstein has been collecting haunted and cursed objects connected to the paranormal and this is a freakishly fun show not to be missed. Playing at The Brass Monkey from January 24 – 27, 29 – 31, February 1 – 3, 5–10 and 12 – 16. 

If you love improvised comedy than you cannot miss The Big Hoo Haa which sees two teams of comedians take the stage to do battle in a competition of jokes, sketches and songs to win your laughs, applause, and the HOO-HAA! trophy. This is Improvised comedy at its finest and funniest, created on the spot from audience suggestions. Playing at the State Theatre Centre from February 4 – 8. Don’t miss this one.

Finally, kids are not forgotten at Fringe; Showmen Productions return with their eclectic shows including The Greatest Magic Show, Kaboom and Circus. These shows always sell out. Circus will kick off the festival at The Rechabite from January 17 – 19 with shows at 11am and 1pm under a Big Top featuring world-class illusions, tumbling acrobats, highly skilled jugglers, breath-taking and elegant aerialists, comedy and an endearing clown.

Bookings for all Fringe shows can be made at www.fringeworld.com.au.