|
A record 198,000 people enjoyed Melbourne Fringe events in 2005 and the gross box office revenue increased by a massive 32% on the previous year. A major highlight of the 2005 Festival was the stunning Human Momentum installation at Federation Square which attracted an estimated 100,000 people, double the number expected. 3,000 kids enjoyed playing on the Human Momentum swings, setting the giant bamboo installation into motion. Human Momentum was designed and built by the world-renowned Bambuco and staged stunning aerial performances by Melbourne circus company, Dislocate. There were 227 events presented as part of the Independent Program, involving more than 3,000 artists. Fringe sell-outs included Tracee Hutchinson's 'I Forgive Catriona Roundtree', American comic Arj Barker, the world-wide hit 'Basic Training', Eddie Perfect's 'Drink Pepsi, Bitch', Russell Fletcher's ‘A tribute to Danny Kaye', Russell McGilton's 'Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle', Matt Wilson's 'Trade of the Trick' and CNNN's 'Cirque du Chaser'. Rawcus and Born In A Taxi's 'Not Dead Yet' won the Fringe Award for Most Outstanding Production and Rawcus' Artistic Director, Kate Sulan collected the highly sought after Melbourne International Arts Festival Award. The reinvented Festival Club at North Melbourne Town Hall was a huge hit attracting record crowds nightly and presenting a spectacular array of live performances and DJs to entertain the revellers. The expanded Festival Hub in North Melbourne was again the centre of all things Fringe with the Lithuanian Club proving particularly popular with audiences. The Festival Hub increased patronage by 44% on 2004, while satellite Fringe venues including The Store Room, CUB Malthouse, La Mama, Theatreworks and Gasworks also attracted increased houses. Fringe Furniture was a vibrant and popular event and presented the newest and most exciting design ideas at Melbourne Museum. Elizabeth Lawrence won the Banyule City Council Acquisition Award for ‘Extra Blanket' valued at $2,000 - (a rocking chair) and Darrin Chapman collected the Tait Award for Best Design for Manufacture for ‘Origami Coffee Table'. In 2005 Melbourne Fringe enjoyed the second year of a fabulous partnership with the State Government, Department of Human Services. Their key message this year dared people to get involved in Melbourne Fringe, and audiences and volunteers took up the challenge en mass. As well as huge attendance numbers, Melbourne Fringe attracted a record number of generous volunteers who helped make the Festival a success. 327 people volunteered to work for Melbourne Fringe this year - collectively donating 4,864 hours of their time which is equivalent to one person working for 2 years and 4 months solid. Thank you vollies! We couldn't have done it without you. The Age 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival runs from September 27 to October 15, so rest up and make sure you are ready for another exciting three weeks of extraordinary performances and frivolity. |
|
