Sun sets on a magical FRINGE WORLD 2020

FRINGE WORLD 2020 officially wrapped at the Festival’s Award ceremony earlier tonight where the best of the Fest were recognised and acknowledged.

Perth's most popular annual festival, and the third largest Fringe in the world, brought all corners of Western Australia alive, from the city to the suburbs and far, far beyond with  700+ shows at over 150 venues.

The Festival recorded consistent results from the previous year with the 2020 Festival set to achieve 410,000 in ticketed attendance. With a program that offered more affordable tickets, there was a slightly lower year-on-year total gross box office, but still an impressive result of more than $10.6 million spent across the 31 days. Since 2012 more than $51 million has been paid to participating artists and arts companies by FRINGE WORLD. The full economic results will be revealed in the coming months in the Festival’s annual Impact Report.

Amber Hasler, FRINGE WORLD Festival Director said, “We’re delighted to see that the magic of FRINGE continues to spread, entertaining and delighting Perth audiences across all ages and genres. We are especially happy to see the growth in our attendance numbers and welcome those who discovered the Fringe fun and frivolity for the first time this year. ”

The Woodside Pleasure Garden and new hubs Girls School and Yagan Square heaved with Fringe‐bingers from all walks of life with their month-long programs of easy entertainment.  Spiritual birthplace of FRINGE WORLD, FRINGE Central at the Perth Cultural Centre and FRINGE’S happy place The Ice Cream Factory had a myriad of event options that were hugely popular every night of the Festival.

Suburban audiences were treated to a significant program of events presented beyond the Perth CBD including Fremantle, Scarborough, Subiaco, Bassendean and South Perth, all of which got the good-times rolling a little closer to home. FRINGE truly is the festival for everyone and this year’s FRINGE KIDS program proved that even the littlest fringe-bingers got in on the action with its biggest attendance yet.

Regionally there were special events happening in Margaret River, Mandurah and Ellenbrook plus the Outer Fringe Tour visited Katanning, Merredin, Esperance and Kalgoorlie with a program of family friendly and variety shows.

FRINGE WORLD is produced by non-for-profit registered charity Artrage. The 2020 Festival was the first for Artrage CEO Sharon Burgess who commenced with the organisation following a leading career that has included management of Edinburgh Fringe’s main programs.

Ms Burgess said that she was impressed by the massive community support for the Festival and buoyed by the positive response from participating artists.

“It was a pleasure to lead the organisation’s renewed focus this year on audience growth including a Tourism WA-supported campaign to attract international visitors,” Ms Burgess said.

“Further growth in audience diversity and attendance will continue to be my focus moving forward alongside increasing year-round performance opportunities, collaborations with other like-minded organisations and strengthening partnerships.”

The Festival Awards, the most generous of any Fringe festival in the world, round out what has been an incredible program of events. FRINGE WORLD Awards are given to the best shows in each genre category, plus there are a bunch of special awards, with winners receiving cash, development support and direct touring opportunities, all supported by the Fringe Fund.

The Martin Sims Award is the top prize of the Festival, recognising the best new Western Australian work in the Festival that is destined to succeed on the world’s stage.

The 2020 Festival Martin Sims Award goes to Shahnameh: Songs of the Persian Book of Kings which will receive $10,000 and touring opportunities to build their career internationally at other Fringe Festivals through the World Fringe Alliance.

Shahnameh: Songs of the Persian Book of Kings by presenter Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble is a suite of songs inspired by the Persian epic poem, Shahnameh. Combining Persian and jazz instruments, Kohesia Ensemble draws upon Ferdowsi's 10th Century masterpiece, exploring tales of creation, kings, dragons and demons through music.

2020 FRINGE WORLD Award Winners

Martin Sims Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Presented to the best new Western Australian work that is destined to succeed on the world’s stage. The Award is named in honour of Martin Sims, former Chairperson of Artrage (the presenter of FRINGE WORLD) and a life-long advocate for the arts in WA.

Winner: Shahnameh: Songs of the Persian Book of Kings

Finalists:
BITE ME
Ballads, Banksias and Beauty
SLUTDROP
The Beep Test

The Blaz Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Presented to the best writing for performance by a WA writer. The Award is named in honour of Perth playwright George Blazevich.

Winner: 30 Day Free Trial

Cabaret Award
Presented by Kleenheat

Winner: Gender Blender Burlesque 2

Children's Event Award
Presented by City of Perth Parking

Winner: Game ON 2.0!
WA Winner: Magnus' Explosion Laboratory 2: Electric Boogaloo

Circus Award
Presented by MadFish Wines

Winner: Sirqus Alfon – I Am Somebody
WA Winner: Aria

Comedy Award
Presented by Gage Roads Brewing Co.

Winner: Gusset Grippers
WA Winner: The Bride

Dance & Physical Theatre Award
Presented by K&L Gates

Winner: (un)written · (un)heard
WA Winner: In Cahoots

Film & Multimedia Award
Presented by Channel 7

Winner: RABBITHOLE // VR

Free & Community Event Award
Presented by Lotterywest

Winner: Fr'Inglewood

Street Performance / Buskers Award
Presented by City of Perth

Winner: Logy Logan

Music & Musicals Award
Presented by Nova 93.7

Winner: Nina, Love Simone - Simone Craddock & Adrian Galante
WA Winner: Welcome to the Jungle

Theatre Award
Presented by Perth Theatre Trust

Winner: Waterloo
WA Winner: SLUTDROP

Visual Arts Award
Presented by oOh! Media

Winner: GANify: Funhouse Mirror Machine

Spirit of the Fringe Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Winner: James Beryln

Critic’s Choice Award
Presented by The West Australian

Winner: L.I.A.R (Life Is A Rehearsal)

ECU Performing Arts Award
Presented by Edith Cowan University

Winner: Adam Kelly from WAYTCO

Variety Line-up Award
Presented by ABC Radio Perth

Winner: Bernie Dieter's Little Death Club
WA Winner: The Little HOO-HAA!

WA Emerging Artist Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Winner: Sian Murphy, creator of BITE ME

WA Producer Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Winner: Kathryn Preston

Independent Program Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Winner: Sunset Veranda

Independent Venue Award
Presented by FRINGE WORLD

Winner: Comedy Lounge Perth City

Tour Ready Awards

Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award Winner: SLUTDROP

Sydney Fringe Tour Ready Award Winner: Split Lip

Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award Winner: (Joint)
Rabbithole // VR
Anna Piper Scott - Queer and Present

FRINGE WORLD gratefully recognises the support of its partners including: Principal Supporter: Lotterywest; Government Partners: the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; the City of Perth and Tourism WA; and Principal Partners: Woodside; and Gage Roads Brewing Co.

 

Photo of Sirqus Alfon by Tenae Francis