The 2022 Festival is on track to achieve ticketed attendance of 230,000, which is an increase from 2021 Festival of 220,000. 

More than $6.4 million will be spent at the box office in 2022, an increase from 2021 where $5.9 million was spent. 

ARTRAGE CEO Sharon Burgess said that the results were an increase from 2021 and were to be celebrated considering the significant challenges that the event has faced this year due to COVID-19. 

“We are very grateful to have been able to offer our community 31 days of world-class entertainment, and for the more than 1,900 participating artists the Festival has been a bright light after many months of cancelled and reduced opportunities due to COVID-19,” Ms Burgess said. 

“Our audiences have been as enthusiastic as ever, and they have been rewarded by experiencing the passion, energy and uniqueness of the Fringe entertainers talents.” 

Whilst the official 2022 FRINGE WORLD Festival has closed, there are 24 shows that are running an extended season with events happening nightly until 27 February. Tickets can be purchased at fringeworld.com.au 

The FRINGE WORLD Awards were presented on 13 February to the best shows in each genre category in addition to special awards that are unique to FRINGE WORLD. The Awards have been presented at every FRINGE WORLD, except in 2021 when the Festival was impacted by a lockdown and capacity restrictions. The cash prizes for the Awards are contributed to by public donations to 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 2022 Festival Martin Sims Award goes to Ginava’s Messy Friends by Gendermess Productions which will receive up to $10,000 support towards international touring. 

A full list of award winners for 2022 follows: 

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: Ginava's Messy Friends 

 
Shortlisted:   
You Are  
Elliot's Big Nose and the Snot That It Grows
Hot Nonsense   
Club D’amour 

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: Kind Regards, Michelle Aitken 

Cabaret Award 
Presented by Kleenheat 

Winner: Life's A Drag - The Sequel 

Children's Event Award 
Presented by City of Perth  

Winner: A One Man Circus 

Circus Award 
Presented by MadFish Wines 

Winner: GODZ 

Comedy Award 

Presented by Gage Roads Brewing Co. 

Winner: Bogan Shakespeare Presents: Julius Caesar  

Dance & Physical Theatre Award 
Presented by iiNet 

Winner: MERCY 

Visual Arts & Film Award 
Presented by oOh! Media 

Winner: Starship Cruising 

Community & Special Events Event Award 
Presented by Lotterywest 

Winner: Yas, Quiz Me Daddy 

Music & Musicals Award 
Presented by Nova 93.7 

Winner: ONSEN 

Theatre Award  
Presented by Old Young’s 

Winner: DIRT by Angus Cameron 

Variety Line-up Award 
Presented by ABC Radio Perth 

Winner: All Horn-ed Up! with the Two Cent Professionals 

Spirit of the Fringe Award 
Presented by FRINGE WORLD 

Winner: Nick Mortimer 

Perth Now Critic’s Choice Award 
Presented by Perth Now

Winner: Chicken Flavour 

Independent Hub Award 
Presented by FRINGE WORLD 

Winner: State of Play 

Independent Venue Award 
Presented by K&L Gates

Winner: The Rechabite 

Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award  
Presented by Melbourne Fringe 

Winner:  Off Chops 

Hall of Fame Award 
Presented by FRINGE WORLD 

Winner: Mermaids 

FRINGE WORLD gratefully recognises the support of its partners including: Principal Supporter: Lotterywest; and Government Partners: the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the City of Perth.   

Media Enquiries   

Sian Collins, FRINGE WORLD Publicist    

Email: s_collins@buzzmarketing.com.au     

Phone: 08 9227 0599 / 0413 430 430