There’s a fruit salad of offerings at Melbourne Fringe 2025. Those already thinking about their October diet might find a preview to be an a-peel-ing way to inform their choices. The Motley Bauhaus’ take on this was a special edition of Fresh and Fruity – a tasting plate of comedy acts.
We were led to expect more durian than apple, as the promo blurb promised an hour “… full of the silliest, funniest, most ridiculous alternative comedy performers in this year’s Fringe.” This was all quite accurate as the event steered well clear of stand-up and the usual compote of familiar topics.
Our host was Cherese Sonkkila, whose Fruition at the Spielhaus in week 1 promises a “zesty, sexy, and surreal comedy show entirely made out of fruit”. She was assisted here by stage manager Chimp (Conor Lynch), and there was range of flavours on offer. As tends to happen with showcases, some shows are better suited to whetting our appetite with an entrée serving.
Clare Rankine’s turn as part of the Burberry fashion family showed an ability to maintain an accent as well as a haughty air. I’m not sure how well that prepares us for their show at Traincendence – Jason Statham, I Love You 2, in week 3 of the Fringe. But as it’s a sequel, the first edition must have had a good amount of juice to warrant another squeeze.
Also in week 3, Sophie Bengough’s Motley Bauhaus offering Cou Cou! (listed under Cabaret in the guide) concerns the optimistic adventures of a giant singing flower. Based on the bloom’s appearance here, Bengough can carry a tune (when suitably hydrated) and seems quite keen on involving the audience in her adventures. Like most plants, there seems to be more going on than meets the eye. Those who like their character comedy infused with music might enjoy biting into this.
Speaking of characters, some will remember Shannan Tamby Lim’s from Fringes past. The offering Samson (The Motley Bauhaus, week 3) taps into Lim’s Sumatran heritage, which we experienced through Samson’s cooking of a rendang in his studio apartment.
It seems that a lukewarm response from family is enough to prompt Samson to reassess his life and do some travelling. The promised intersection with mythological characters from the Malay Peninsula makes this show, with dramaturgy by Laura Trennery (The Travelling Sisters), an especially tantalising prospect.
Another last-week offering is Lynch’s Chimp, playing at Trades Hall. Lynch didn’t get all that much time to show off their “silent hour of physical clown mime comedy.” However, there was certainly some recognisable (and fitting) simian gestures and movement on display here. Chimp was nominated for the Golden Gibbo at MICF 2025, so it wouldn’t be totally bananas for lovers of physical comedy to have this on a shopping list.
Conk showed musical and dramatic talents as a Ballarat gondolier who aspires to more in their life. There was also one of the most unexpected character transitions I’ve seen for some time, involving impressive physical control. Maybe this unpredictability is due to the effects of thousands of hours spent watching Instagram reels for the show Brainrot Doomscroll? This Trades Hall show is at 11.00pm, only on 11 & 18 October.
Another name that could be familiar to Fringe freaks is Cousin Tara (Tara Dowler). Previous musical-comedy offerings have taken on issues such as environmental degradation. The new show, Bootersloot, takes inspiration from Dowler’s cat and his “depraved appetite”.
It’s not so obvious how the song on a “vulval-vaginal” condition, an amusing parody of a Cardi B song, relates to the Fringe show. (It sounds more like an impediment to indulging one particular appetite.) However, we would expect this Motley Bauhaus offering, starting in week 1, to have a number of lively tunes, possibly with some bracing acidity, as Dowler accompanies herself on guitar.
So, the fruit-leather gauntlet has been laid down by The Motley Bauhaus. Are any other venues feeling fruity enough to give us a sneak preview of their ripe Fringe offerings?
Fresh and Fruity: a taste of Fringe
The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin Street, Carlton
Performance: Friday 5 September 2025
Information: www.themotley.com.au
Image: Cousin Tara – photo by Nick Robertson
Review: Jason Whyte