Enjoy a month of ‘delicious unfiltered and eclectic performances’ at Sydney Fringe Festival
Sydney Fringe Festival is the biggest independent arts festival in the state run by the NSW Foundation, with over 350 events across all genres in over 70 venues across Greater Sydney every September.
Sydney Fringe is a not-for-profit, open-access festival that welcomes creatives from all walks of life for a month of spectacular performance, curated by the artists.
One such artist is performance poet Ash Radford (otherwise known as Ash Funny Poet), from the Northern Beaches, who is doing some solo shows in Marrickville Town Hall from 8 to 12 September.
A personal trainer by day, it’s Ash’s first time performing at Fringe and his poetry has been described as ‘Dr Seuss meets bush poetry.’
“That’s a pretty accurate and amusing description,” says Ash. “I poke fun at myself and silly aspects of modern life.”
Ash’s poetry is inspired by things that happen in daily life that are ‘noteworthy or ridiculous.’ “I just embellish that,” he says. “It could be something I observe or an encounter I have in a café. I’ve written one about getting my hair cut.”
Ash will perform his best poems with humour in a 45-minute show and the audience will get to choose how the poems are delivered.
Ash Funny Poet
“The poems I’m going to perform go into a hat,” he explains. “And I’ll walk into the audience and get (someone) to select a poem out of the hat. Then I’ll have to deliver that poem.”
Ash is hoping to catch some other performances at Fringe this year, but says it will be difficult to choose as there is so much happening.
Other acts will include genres such as dance, music, theatre, comedy, cabaret and musical theatre, experimental, circus, parties, and immersive experiences.
Move FM is a collection of short dance works performed by leading contemporary dancers at the New Theatre in Newtown. Award-winning In These Shoes at Fringe on the Rocks will delight the whole family.
There are also a few adult-only events such as Return of the GODZ at The Entertainment Quarter, a circus spectacular where Greek Mythology meets acrobatics and a little bad behaviour. The Pink Pony Parlour cabaret at The Entertainment Quarter offers a night of glitz and glamour that’s ‘not your average pony ride.’
Cabaret burlesque review The Red Room by Va Voom Productions at the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood promises an evening of ‘music, showgirls and tease.’
There’s plenty for children too such as the Studio Ghibli Jazz Concert, The Greatest Magic Shows, Blast Lab Science, All Star Circus, The Giant Balloon Show, and so much more.
Festival organisers say ‘literally anything could happen’ so make sure you don’t miss out!
SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL
1 to 30 September
70+ venues across greater Sydney
Tickets $15+
Ash Funny Poet
Marrickville Town Hall, Festival Hub,
The Chambers
8 to 12 September
Tickets $27
