OBSERVER: Fringe Festival launch
Standing room only in the iconic ETU Ballroom at the Trades Hall, Lygon St, for the 2025 VIP launch of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, starting September 30 and running to October 19.
As Victoria’s longest running multi-arts festival it has been no mean feat for 43 years and this year it has more than 500 exciting boundary pushing arts events.
To do this it will flood Melbourne in all sorts of places, in theatres, laneways, beaches, car parks with thousands of artists turning the city into a stage.
CEO Simon Abraham said: “The Festival is where anyone can share their art, from first time makers to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, together with those of international status.”
Supported by speakers from key sponsors State Government and Melbourne City Council who further outlined the diversity of the inclusive program, un-curated that will embrace First Nations artists, d/Deaf and Disabled creatives, queer storytellers, emerging youth perspectives and international risk takers.
A new play JKS: A Comedy by comedian Tom Ballard, a musical by Sammy J and Vidya Makan, Fiasco: A Burke and Wills Musical.
There are so many highlights, but watch for Williamstown Beach at sunset, that will be the stage for The Break by Zoe Bastin Dance or the Northcote car park in the glow of headlights for circus outfit Oozing Future’s Strange Chaos.
Then there is A.J. Lamarque’s Sea Journey, A Beginner’s Guide to Gay Cruising. An everyday occurrence, supermarket workers dealing with angry customers, a musical comedy Checked Out by Josh Connell and Steph Lee being performed in the Solidarity Hall, Trades Hall.
Apology to the rest of the 500+ events that I am unable to expand on. However to the general public and even those for the first time – dare to miss anything, watch out for the full 2025 program.
melbournefringe.com.au
Graeme McCoubrie