Melbourne Fringe announces 2017 Award Winners

Melb Fringe Crimson Tide - photo by Bri Hammond AARThe winners of the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival Awards were announced on Saturday night as this year’s Festival came to a close.

Awarded across three categories – genre, professional development and touring – the 2017 awards recognise the quality and diversity of work that made up the 2017 Festival. Over 440 events in 164 venues across town, transformed the city, where everything is (was) art for 2.5 weeks. Over 105 independent industry peers judged over 200 eligible events.

“This year’s award winners were fiercely fought and they represent the brave, bold, innovative works that have characterized this year’s Fringe,” said Melbourne Fringe Creative Director and CEO Simon Abrahams.

The 2017 Melbourne Fringe Best in Category and Special Award Winners are:

Best Cabaret:
Seen & Heard

Best Circus:
The Man in the Mail

Best Comedy:
The Travelling Sisters: NOO SHO

Best Dance:
Utterance

Best Kids Event:
ONLY A YEAR

Best Live Art:
For The Ones Who Walk Away

Best Music:
Rose Alea – Night Song

Best Performance:
Biladurang

Best Words and Ideas:
SideKicked

Best Visual Arts:
Diaspora

Melbourne Fringe Living Legend:
Richard Watts

Spirit of the Fringe:
Kaitlyn Rogers – Can I Get An Amen?!

Venue of the Year:
Testing Grounds

Bank Australia People’s Choice:
Crimson Tide

For more information and complete list of Award Winners, visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au for details. Registrations for 2018 Melbourne Fringe Festival will open in April 2018.

Image: Crimson Tide – photo by Bri Hammond