Taking the Fringe to the streets

Internationally acclaimed productions, local creative talent on show and the activation of new spaces in the city are the cornerstones of Fringe Mount Gambier this year.

Kicking off on Friday, March 22 and running across three huge weekends until Sunday, April 7, there are more than 30 Fringe events including comedy, cabaret, burlesque, music, theatre, kids entertainment, dance and visual arts.

Fringe Mount Gambier artistic director Louise Adams said she was proud of how the event had evolved over its seven year history, especially the increase in locally based creatives putting together shows as part of the program.

“There’s definitely a huge increase each year of creators and artists thinking ‘how can I take my art form and create a show’,” she said. “That’s the jump we are looking to make and now we see local talent, like Fiona Unger, not just put together shows for Fringe Mount Gambier but take their shows to other festivals. We are proud that more than half of the 2024 program consists of local performers or are events produced by artists living here.”

Locally based producer, artist and creator Chloe Fry is an example of one of those local talents embracing Fringe Mount Gambier as a stepping stone in their artistic journey.

Her show – Hidden Carousel (pictured above – photo courtesy of Marcus Jones)– is one of three featured open access events and has been a show at least 18 months in the making, emerging from her burlesque classes.

“Hidden Carousel is a true Fringe gem, journeying into the enchanting world of burlesque, blending local lore with vivacious performances,” Chloe said. “Our unique production, born from the heart of Mount Gambier, promises to captivate audiences and offer a tantalising glimpse into a bygone era with a modern twist.

“We can’t wait for the show to debut at Fringe Mount Gambier and give audiences a night of allure and embrace the richness of our community’s artistic expression.”

Hidden Carousel is a burlesque cabaret includes an all-Mount Gambier cast, a live band made up of Mount Gambier musicians, and a local production team and set design

And with the increase in local content over the 17-day festival comes another exciting innovation – Fringe Laneways.

A series of free Fringe community events will be taking over selected laneways, with key events Luminous Laneway on Friday, March 29, and Fringe Laneway Fiesta on Saturday, March 30.

Fringe Laneways will bring Fringe performances, roving artists, street performers, twilight markets, DJs and music, kids entertainment, interactive art, showcases of local wine, craft beers and street food to our CBD laneways.

“Activating spaces and bringing different people into those spaces is a really important aim that sits at the core of any Fringe festival,” Louise said.

Another of Fringe Mount Gambier’s open access events will elevate the Fringe laneway program with video and light projection artist Jim Coad (Video Architecture), who will head direct from the Murten Licht Festival (Switzerland) to create, with community, and deliver his projection art onto key Mount Gambier heritage buildings.

Video Architecture specialises in using digital technology to re-imagine public spaces through drawing, photography, painting, movement, light and sound.

The Jim Coad project dovetails nicely into the 2024 festival theme ‘Grow & Glow’ , designed to inspire creativity and imagination linked to the region’s glow mushrooms, rich green landscape and forests, and encourage our city, spaces and artists to grow and glow in their most wonderful way.

Businesses, organisations, schools and the community are encouraged to participate and Fringe UP! The festival invites the community to embrace this year’s theme and the festival colour BLUE, with prizes available for those best efforts.

“We are excited to include the Easter Long weekend in the festival dates in 2024,” Lousie said. “We anticipate people moving into the region with Easter, Victorian school holidays, and the AFL Gather Round, and we want to show what Mount Gambier has to offer. We want our community and those visiting the region to enjoy the vibrancy of our city.”

Mr Snotbottom (pictured above) and the world-class acrobatics and awe-inspiring live music of Oat Milk & Honey are two feature open access events – Mr Snotbottom is a returning act, much like unofficial ambassador Tash York, who has performed at all six previous Fringe Mount Gambier festivals, while it is a debut for the highly acclaimed Oat Milk & Honey.

The Fringe Street Party and Fringeland are set to return in 2025.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK FENBY