The 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