With a whopping 500 shows across 100 venues, the 2015 Fringe World Festival will ensure Perth and surrounds will sizzle with entertainment this summer. We take a look at 10 events worth checking out:
Fever: The Music of Peggy Lee
De Parel Spiegeltent: 14 – 18 February
The swinging Perth sextet will perform some of Peggy’s best known songs, taking you on a journey from her days singing with Benny Goodman’s Orchestra through to her recordings with Capitol and Decca Records, as well as her vocal styling’s in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp.
Sex Idiot
Circus Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre: 29 January – 1 February
Join Bryony Kimmings on a tour through her true-life sexual misadventures and self-realisations, told through vignettes of performance, dance, song and spoken word, all gaffer taped to some rough chat and acts of slight danger! Nestled somewhere between homemade-pop-song, fashion show, ornithological-nature-trail and an ode to love lost, Sex Idiot is a glittering, unabashed cabaret of confessions with a wonky, DIY feel.
Simon Taylor – Funny
Circus Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre: 29 January – 3 February
After Comedian Simon Taylor, got his start on the Melbourne comedy scene, he became a writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno within two years of his stand-up career. Once that show came to an end he signed on to write for Shaun Micallef’s ABC show, Mad as Hell. Simon spends most of his time touring his stand-up in places diverse as New York, Albuquerque & Cambodia.
Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox
De Parel Spiegelten: 3 – 7 February
Michael Griffiths is Annie Lennox as you’ve never heard or seen him before.Winner Best Cabaret Adelaide Fringe 2014. From the gender bending early days as one half of Eurythmics through to her stunning solo career. Featuring Thorn In My Side, Why and There Must Be An Angel (Playing with my Heart).
Tell Mama: The Music of Etta James
De Parel Spiegeltent: 23 – 25 January
Join the spectacular ten piece 60s Soul band Stratosfunk with special guests Libby Hammer and Rusty Pinto in a hip-wiggling, soul-stirring good time as they bring a little something of their own to the music and songs made famous by Etta James.
The Worst of Scottee
Connections Night Club: 4 – 7 February
Everyone has done stuff they regret and most people bury it in the past, six months ago Scottee hired a psychotherapist and a filmmaker to dig up his past. Encounter past flames, ex-friends and people who no longer like him in attempt to find out where he went wrong. Find out why he pretended to have AIDS, what prompted him to steal money from his Nan, why he told everyone his friend committed suicide when she hadn’t
Tina Del Twist
De Parel Spiegeltent: 4 – 8 February
Truly unique Tina is known for her razor-sharp comic timing and breathtaking jazz/blues vocals. Not bitter, but quite twisted, Tina is hot on her heels from an international tour. Like any diva that has been around the traps, Tina is a beautiful singer but beyond this are her funny, eccentric, debauched, higher status, glamourous, daring and extraordinary tales.
Twists and Turns
The West Australian Spiegeltent: 10 – 16 February
Winner of 2014 Fringe World Festival Best Cabaret Award, Matthew won gold with the highest single-dive score in Olympic history. His life behind the spotlight was plagued by mental illness and drug abuse, which he has overcome to achieve greatness. Matthew is a talented singer and musician who shares the highs and lows of his young life through theatre and song.
Venus in Fur
Studio Underground: continues to 8 February.
Thomas, a New York playwright is so fascinated with fiery actress Vanda, he confuses fact with fiction, becoming her willing slave, or does he? Don’t miss this brilliantly written psychological striptease that will keep you enraptured until the thrilling conclusion.
Yana Alana: Between the Cracks
De Parel Spiegeltent: 29 January – 3 February
Australia’s very own diva extraordinaire and 2014 Helpmann Award Best Cabaret performer, Yana Alana returns to Perth with her titillating, revealing and deliciously clever cabaret show, a bent night of blues, burlesque and blame.
The 2015 Fringe World Festival runs from 23 January to 22 February. For more information, visit: www.fringeworld.com.au for details.
Image: The Worst of Scottee