FRINGE WORLD Festival returns to entertain

Tuesday, 17 January 2017
 
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• The sixth FRINGE WORLD Festival offers over 700 events across 150 venues
• The third largest in the world and biggest annual event in WA
• Supported by $1.098 million from the Liberal National Government through Lotterywest and the Department of Culture and the Arts and a further $100,000 from the City of Perth 

This year's FRINGE WORLD program will feature more than 700 events across 150 venues showcasing performances by thousands of talented Western Australian and visiting international artists in a range of genres from comedy and cabaret, to circus and visual arts.

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the festival was now recognised as the third largest Fringe Festival in the world and had grown to become the biggest annual event in WA.

"The Liberal National Government has been a proud supporter of FRINGE WORLD since its inception in 2011.  It has helped Perth stand out on the international map of festivals and certainly sets our city buzzing during the summer period," Mr Barnett said.

This year's festival follows a record-breaking year for FRINGE WORLD.  The 2016 festival achieved ticket sales of more than $9 million, making it the biggest box office earner of any arts festival in the State, and nearly 990,000 people attended FRINGE events.

"FRINGE WORLD continues to stimulate and grow an audience and appetite for the arts in Perth that didn't exist before," the Premier said.

"Last year, attendances at free and ticketed events reached almost one million and I am sure this year will once again attract huge crowds.

"It is also a significant tourist drawcard attracting up to 15,000 visitors to the State last summer, plus almost 1,000 performers from outside WA."

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said that State Government support through Lotterywest and the Department of Culture and the Arts had allowed FRINGE WORLD to keep ticket prices down and reach regional audiences through the 'Outer Fringe' touring program, which this year will travel to Esperance, Hopetoun, Northam, Karratha, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Exmouth and Broome.

"In addition to the return of Fringe Central at the Perth Cultural Centre and The Pleasure Garden in Russell Square, 2017 will introduce the Cathedral Square precinct as yet another Fringe hub," Mr Day said.

"Cathedral Square's heritage buildings will complement the new Edith Spiegeltent, which will house sell-out show La Soiree."

For the full FRINGE WORLD Festival program and ticket information, visit http://www.fringeworld.com.au  

Fact File

• FRINGE WORLD runs from January 20, 2017 to February 19, 2017
• Fringe's De Parel Spiegeltent was purchased in 2011 with a Lotterywest grant of $400,000. It is one of the few remaining original Spiegeltents in the world
• The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority has provided in-kind support to Artrage for the 2017 festival
• FRINGE WORLD audience growth (2012-16) was more than 650% (150,000 to 990,000)