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Melbourne Fringe respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, play and hold our Festival and events. We pay our respects to the people of the Kulin Nations and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

2026 Festival 29 Sept-18 Oct

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Fringe Care

Last Year's Eve


Name: Last Year's Eve
Subtitle: Hugo was eight when he fled war; fifteen years on, he's leaving the only home he’s ever known.
Tags: Death/Grief,Politics,Global Affairs
Vibes: Beautiful,Confronting,Poetic
Programs: Festival Hub
Guides: 
Credits:
Written and Performed by Zachary Kazepis
Composer Zachary Kazepis
Image Credit Darren Gill
Description:
Last Year’s Eve is a solo theatre work performed by one actor using minimal tech and a stripped-back setup: one chair, one suitcase, one performer. The style shifts between naturalistic monologue, fragmented memory sequences, and moments of quiet surrealism. It runs for 55 minutes with no interval. An original score will be played throughout the piece. Lighting design will be used to support the work.


Open Program

Short & Sweet

Member Discount

Teenagers (13-17 years)

Pushing the comfort zone

Theatre

Festival Hub

Drama

Contemporary

Political

Hugo was eight when he fled war; fifteen years on, he's leaving the only home he’s ever known.

Beautiful

Confronting

Poetic

THE BLOK!


Name: THE BLOK!
Subtitle: Radical, Blak, and funny as hell
Tags: Feminism,First Nations Stories,Death/Grief,Original Music,Religion & Spirituality
Vibes: Epic,Outrageous,Silly
Programs: Curated Program,Deadly Fringe
Guides: 
Credits:
Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy and Melbourne Fringe
Created by A Daylight Connection with guest Alexis West
Produced by Performing Lines
Description:
A satirical theatre performance about a 'genius' artist (The Master, played by Carly Sheppard) wrestling with a writers block. They come face to face with a divine figure (The Creator, played by Alexis West) who challenges their sense of being the centre of the universe.


Curated Program

Outside the comfort zone

Deadly Fringe

Absurdist

New Writing

Storytelling

Radical, Blak, and funny as hell

Self Harm or Suicide,Drug use,Drug References,Sexual References,Death,Mental Health

Epic

Outrageous

Silly

Dishonour on Your Cow (AUDIO SHOW)


Name: dishonour on your cow (audio show)
Subtitle: Embark on a survivor's journey in navigating acceptance, self-recovery, and healing through laughs.
Tags: Feminism,Sex Love & Dating,Artists 55+,Religion & Spirituality,Pop Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Dark,Heartfelt,Inspiring
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Created and Performed by Silvi Santoso
Sound design Analog Rabbit Sound/Chris Van Schaick
A Production by Sans So So
Description:
Storytelling of the artists experience on a podcast.


Digital Event

Comedy

Stand Up

Digital

Embark on a survivor's journey in navigating acceptance, self-recovery, and healing through laughs.

Self Harm or Suicide,Sexual Assault or Abuse,Emotional Abuse,Domestic Violence,Violence Against Women,Mental Health

Dark

Heartfelt

Inspiring

An evening with Elder Turner


Name: An Evening with Elder Turner
Subtitle: Adam Turner was a Mormon missionary. He has rebuilt his life and is now catching up with his past.
Tags: 
Vibes: Cheeky,Inspiring,Uplifting
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Performed by Adam Turner
 
 
Description:
A story of my experiences growing up mormon, and me dealing with that later in life. a reflection on who I was, who I am, and the disconnect between the two.


Spoken Word

Adam Turner was a Mormon missionary. He has rebuilt his life and is now catching up with his past.

Cheeky

Uplifting

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari... Rescored!


Name: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari... Rescored!
Subtitle: Experience a gothic, cinematic masterpiece with a newly composed experimental live score.
Tags: Original Music,Horror
Vibes: Dark,Surreal,Unsettling
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Presented by The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University
Composed and Produced by Composition and Music Technology students from the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University
 
Description:
Around 24 students will be performing on laptops, performing their original score live for the 1920 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.


Visual Arts & Film

Experimental

Horror

Experience a gothic, cinematic masterpiece with a newly composed experimental live score.

Surreal

Unsettling

Radio Wet- The Antidote


Name: Radio Wet- The Antidote
Subtitle: There’s something sick inside of all of us...  
Tags: Feminism,Interactive,Queer Culture,Politics,Religion & Spirituality,Pop Culture
Vibes: Absurd,Subversive,Transcendent
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Performed by Radio Wet
Produced by Baeley Dear
 
Description:
Radio Wet: The Antidote is a 45 minute dance and clown focused theatre show that dips in and out of a loose storyline focused on the characters Modem and Helium. A third actor/stage assistant will be present to help to work in jump scares and crowd interaction.


There’s something sick inside of all of us...  

Violence,Self Harm or Suicide,Sexual Assault or Abuse,Sexual Harassment,Domestic Violence,Staged Violence,Drug use,Drug References,Death,Murder

Absurd

Subversive

Transcendent

TMI - A Night Of Oversharing


Name: TMI - A Night Of Oversharing
Subtitle: A ritual of radical honesty.
Tags: Disability Stories,Gender Diversity,Queer Culture,Sex Love & Dating,Deaf Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Heartfelt,Intimate,Provocative
Programs: Meat Market
Guides: 
Credits:
Curated by Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews
 
 
Description:
TMI is a 75-min spoken word event hosted by Sarah Ward & Bec Matthews with live drums, piano, and voice. Five guests share raw, personal stories—queer voices, first-timers, and artists with disabilities. It’s relaxed, Auslan interpreted, and boldly curated with care. Expect honesty, not controversy. Low-tech needs; high-impact vibes


Words & Ideas

Meat Market

Music

Community

A ritual of radical honesty.

Intimate

Provocative

Metro


Name: Metro
Subtitle: A bold and haunting new play that takes you on a surreal journey through grief
Tags: 
Vibes: Compelling,Poignant,Profound
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Written and Directed by Todd Kingston in collaboration with Assistant Director Jefferson Nguyen
Produced by Amber Kitney (APK Productions)
 
Description:
Set in a modern day train carriage in Melbourne, the play takes place in real time and highlights the universality of human experience as we glimpse into the lives of 8 strangers on their commute to the CBD. The play suits an intimate performance space and our ideal seating arrange is in the round. As audience members are seated, they create the walls of the carriage that contain the 8 actors.


Inside the comfort zone

A bold and haunting new play that takes you on a surreal journey through grief

Self Harm or Suicide,Sexual Assault or Abuse,Emotional Abuse,Staged Violence,Sexual References,Death,Mental Health,Use of Replica Weapons

Compelling

Poignant

Profound

Not Without Right: Shakespeare's Secrets


Name: Not Without Right: Shakespeare's Secrets
Subtitle: Shakespeare and his Muse battle over the true story of his life to prove he wrote them.
Tags: Real Stories
Vibes: Compelling,Inspiring,Provocative
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Written by Colin Cox
Performed by Alessandra Mañón
 
Description:
a two-person, lights up - lights down, a table, two chairs, and two trunks play in which Shakespeare and his Muse, including the audience as a third character, engage in a passionate discourse on the story of his life to prove he wrote his plays.


Shakespeare and his Muse battle over the true story of his life to prove he wrote them.

The Last Word


Name: The Last Word
Subtitle: A totally objective musical cabaret
Tags: Feminism,Sex Love & Dating,Original Music,Pop Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Heartfelt,Intimate,Witty
Programs: Festival Hub
Guides: 
Credits:
Created and Performed by Imogen Whittaker
 
 
Description:
A solo show of original music, performed by singer/keyboard player Imogen Whittaker, seated for the majority of the performance. Aimed at anyone who's had to experience the drag of modern dating or the high and lows of love. Lots of musical theatre elements, with dry wit and clever lyrics.


Cabaret

A totally objective musical cabaret

Witty

Changeling


Name: Changeling
Subtitle: A raw, provocative reflection on identity, belonging and the cost of being authentic to who you are.
Tags: Disability Stories,Original Music
Vibes: Beautiful,Confronting,Provocative
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Written by Charlie Simmons
Directed by Monique Wing-Yun
Produced by Jessica Fanwong
Description:
Changeling is an original 90 minute Bretchian-style play exploring European folklore that believed physically disabled children to be fairy changelings who were switched with the more attractive human babies. The play takes inspiration from plays such as The Crucible and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play incorporates elements of masked theatre to symbolise themes of masking and disability as well as physical theatre. The team will have a cast of 5-6 who play multiple characters.


A raw, provocative reflection on identity, belonging and the cost of being authentic to who you are.

Violence,Emotional Abuse,Domestic Violence,Staged Violence,Violence Against Women,Disability Slurs,Death,Murder,Use of Replica Weapons

Yarning With The Ancestors


Name: Yarning With The Ancestors
Subtitle: Yarning With The Ancestors - a one woman stand up show about Kimmie's life
Tags: First Nations Stories,Real Stories
Vibes: Beautiful,Cheeky,Outrageous
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Directed by Kimmie Lovegrove
Performed by Kimmie Lovegrove
Produced by Kimmie Lovegrove
Description:
Ngarrindjeri and Romanian comedian Kimmie Lovegrove is bringing the funny in her first solo show. Come hear her yarn about identity, love and being a celebrant.
In this captivating one-woman show, Kimmie Lovegrove invites you to join her on an hilarious and heartfelt exploration of life through her unique lens. With razor-sharp wit and unapologetic humour, she fearlessly tackles a myriad of topics – from cultural identity to navigating the complexities of everyday life.


Yarning With The Ancestors - a one woman stand up show about Kimmie's life

Unbearable Hotness


Name: Unbearable Hotness
Subtitle: This ain't your father's Moby Dick.
Tags: Feminism,Gender Diversity,Sex Love & Dating,Gen Z Culture
Vibes: Exciting,Rowdy,Silly
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Written by Gabriel Davis
Directed by Lucas Dwyer
 
Description:
A traditional one act comedic play, with standard seating. It explores themes of toxic masculinity, female friendship, LGBTQIA+ experiences. It follows university students in a house party as people try to win the affections of their crush, the unbearably hot Marissa. It's a very fast paced comedy with twists and turns that will keep the audience consistently engaged.


This ain't your father's Moby Dick.

Alcohol Use,Misogyny,Queerphobia or Homophobia,Sexual References,Murder

Exciting

Rowdy

He Māori?


Name: He Māori?
Subtitle: Does he really count? An autobiographical musical comedy from a weird White Māori
Tags: First Nations Stories,Global Affairs,Real Stories
Vibes: Cheeky,Feel-good,Vulnerable
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Created and Performed by Īhaka Martyn
 
 
Description:
A musical, stand-up comedy, theatre kind of one-man show. 
Īhaka sings songs, tells jokes and does funny accents all about being White and Māori. He discusses how he felt out of place in brown spaces growing up, and started to reclaim his culture in his early twenties. He interrogates with satire and honest conversation his struggles with identity.


Physical Theatre

Does he really count? An autobiographical musical comedy from a weird White Māori

Feel-good

Vulnerable

I Survived a Car Crash


Name: I Survived a Car Crash
Subtitle: A fresh take on the intersections of being queer, disabled and culturally different.
Tags: Disability Stories,Gender Diversity,Queer Culture,Death/Grief,Millennial Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Challenging,Dark,Witty
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Performed by RJ Daligcon
 
 
Description:
A combination of stand-up, presentation and rumination on life. A one-person show about being queer, disabled and culturally diverse. Expect a dark comedic twist on the 'corny, inspirational tale' as the artist crafts an action-packed narrative on survival, leaping from one milestone to another with a funny slideshow containing maps, rebuses and organisational charts.


A fresh take on the intersections of being queer, disabled and culturally different.

Self Harm or Suicide,Emotional Abuse,Staged Violence,Racism,Queerphobia or Homophobia,Mental Health,Simulated Blood

Challenging

BLI$$


Name: BLI$$
Subtitle: Welcome to exile. The WiFi’s strong. The sea is red. She’s waiting.
Tags: Feminism,Sex Love & Dating,Gen Z Culture,Chronically Online,Pop Culture,Global Affairs
Vibes: Cheeky,Contemporary,Provocative
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Created and Performed by Luella Fitz
Produced by Zadie Kennedy Mccracken
Directed by Ella Crowley
Description:
BLI$$ is a 60-minute one-woman show which explores myth, pop iconography, internet culture, and isolation. A solo artist performs an experimental retelling of the story of Lilith, the first woman from the Adam and Eve creation myth. Devised and created by a team of exceptional emerging artists, BLI$$ is a feminist scripted play which includes projection, voice over, dance, song and story telling. We intend this work to explore themes of pop culture and escapism and reach Gen Z audiences.


Devised

Welcome to exile. The WiFi’s strong. The sea is red. She’s waiting.

Self-worth It


Name: Self-worth It
Subtitle: A solo variety show exploring themes of self-worth and personal growth in the guise of comedy.
Tags: Interactive,Line-ups & Variety Nights,Sex Love & Dating
Vibes: Heartfelt,Insightful,Silly
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Performed by Carla Maree
Written by Carla Maree
 
Description:
A clown inspired solo variety show, featuring different characters played by the same actor/performer. This show will tap into themes of self-worth, personal growth and accepting yourself for who you truly are.


Clowning

A solo variety show exploring themes of self-worth and personal growth in the guise of comedy.

Insightful

Chambers of the Heart


Name: Chambers of the Heart
Subtitle: 30 Artists. 120 Heart Chambers. Passion. Delicacy. A Pumping New Cabaret. Directed by Moira Finucane
Tags: Original Music,Global Affairs,Real Stories
Vibes: Exciting,Heartfelt,Uplifting
Programs: Festival Hub
Guides: 
Credits:
Directed by Moira Finucane
Performed by Monash University's Theatre and Performance students
 
Description:
A showcase of emerging theatre and performance talent shaped and curated by cabaret legend Moira Fincune. Moira will bring the best out of every student participant and performance and audience can expect to be inspired and moved (perhaps literally) by music, movement, sound and poetry. The will leave with their hearts full.


30 Artists. 120 Heart Chambers. Passion. Delicacy. A Pumping New Cabaret. Directed by Moira Finucane

Horse Play: An Earnest One Man Show Based on The Saddle Club


Name: Horse Play: An Earnest One Man Show Based on The Saddle Club
Subtitle: Hello world, this is me.
Tags: Millennial Culture,Pop Culture
Vibes: Absurd,Off-beat,Unpredictable
Programs: Festival Hub
Guides: 
Credits:
Created and Performed by Jett Bond
 
 
Description:
'Horse Play: An Earnest One-Man Show Based on The Saddle Club' is a satire of a theatrical experience with Jett Bond attempting their best to put on a fully emotional performance based upon a silly concept such as the saddle club. bond will retell the pilot episode of the saddle club with added soliloquies to highten the absurd emotions of the one man play.


Hello world, this is me.

Off-beat

Unpredictable

George Glass' Scientology the Musical


Name: George Glass' Scientology the Musical
Subtitle: High-energy comedy featuring live music and secrets to the universe - see it before we get sued
Tags: Original Music,Pop Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Chaotic,Off-beat,Outrageous
Programs: Festival Hub
Guides: 
Credits:
Presented by George Glass
 
 
Description:
An off-off-broadway style musical about Scientology. Whilst delving deep into the social issues that exist through modernised religion, the show is first and foremost a comedy, showcasing toe-tapping rock songs, outrageous costumes, absurd comedy and a touch of magic. Think The Book of Mormon meets a Louis Theroux Documentary. This show dramatises the successful 1983 legal appeal by the Church of Scientology to the High Court of Australia arguing for tax exempt status.


Musical Theatre

High-energy comedy featuring live music and secrets to the universe - see it before we get sued

Drug References,Alcohol Use,Mental Health,Murder,Simulated Blood

Chaotic

Who wants to be a Citizen?


Name: Who wants to be a Citizen?
Subtitle: From civil war to citizenship — a bold, funny immigrant story by one of Australia’s rising comics
Tags: Politics,Travel,Science,Pop Culture,Real Stories
Vibes: Dark,Insightful,Silly
Programs: 
Guides: 
Credits:
Produced by Nadun Hetti
 
 
Description:
In 2017, Nadun Hetti was just a teenager who left war-torn Sri Lanka and ended up in Australia.<br><br>Today, he’s one of Australia’s rising comedy stars and an award-winning comedian. The show touches on everything from war, migration, and mental health to the struggle of getting Australian citizenship. Featuring a rotating line-up of diverse openers, this is a night of comedy you won’t forget.


From civil war to citizenship — a bold, funny immigrant story by one of Australia’s rising comics