The Age 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival was one of the most successful in history with 193,320 enthusiastic audience, artists, volunteers and staff getting involved. 2006 also saw a 21% increase on 2005 box office revenue.

A highlight of the Festival was the striking Material World installation at Fed Square, where an estimated 50,000 visitors were encouraged to place themselves in the shoes of asylum seekers searching for a home, as they explored a house constructed from thousands of personal objects. Conceived by Ian Pidd, Alex Sanson and Jessica Wilson with participants from the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, this wonderful, inviting, living artwork was free for all.

An iconic event in the Melbourne design calendar, Fringe Furniture returned for its 22nd year, with 62 submissions of creative, contemporary furniture designs from some of Australia's newest and hottest talents. Fringe Furniture launched to a glamorous crowd who frocked up for the opening night where prizes were given for the most outstanding creations. Entry to Fringe Furniture was free, with more than 29,000 people visiting Melbourne Museum during the exhibition.

The Independent Program showcased 245 events, with more than 3,000 artists presenting bold and original work in over 100 venues across the city. Melbourne Fringe also hosted a festival within a festival, Digital Fringe, a celebration of over 300 digital art works.

Fringe sell-outs included Politely Savage, Rubeville, Source / Sauce, Apples and Ladders, Cath Jamison in Secret Life of a Woman and Miss Peachy Keen presents a Bevy of Delectable Ladies with venues including the Arts Centre, CUB Malthouse, La Mama, The Butterfly Club, Theatreworks, Gasworks and Northcote Town Hall attracting record houses.

Once again, North Melbourne was brimming with a feast of 53 events in Festival Hub venues including Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, the Lithuanian Club, the Raglan, Gallery 14, Errol's and the Czech House. An estimated 25,000 people visited the Festival Hub and many nights saw several Hub shows sell-out, with box office queues out the door.

The Festival Club returned to the Hub, as the place where artists, staff and Festival-goers partied the night away under the glitterball. Opening night exploded into life with The Drowsy Drivers Keating! and the Club was regularly packed to capacity. With as many as 1,600 visitors in any one night, an estimated total of 12,000 chilled out and got down at the Club throughout the Festival.

Thanks to our partners in the government, tertiary and corporate sectors, and philanthropic trusts, whose support is invaluable. 2006 was the third year of a rewarding partnership with the State Government, Department of Human Services, taking their 'Go for your life' message to our diverse and expanding audience, and we were delighted to announce an exciting new major partnership with The Age until 2008.

The Age 2007 Melbourne Fringe Festival runs from 26 September to 14 October, so rest up in preparation for another exciting three weeks of creativity, rebellion and artistic excellence, as we celebrate our 25th year!

Visit the The Age 2006 Melbourne fringe Festival program here