Who doesn’t love this time of year? Fringe World is about to start, heralding a plethora of shows. But with only so much time (and budget), it can be tough to decide what to see.  

So, we’ve taken a closer look at the Fringe program to bring you some ideas each week. We’re also amping up the mix with some suggestions from The Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Nights season. 

All this is on top of the 30-plus shows we’ll be reviewing over the next month, so make sure you check in with Seesaw each day for the hottest tickets in town. 

First up, naturally, are the opening acts. Laugh or cry, dance or swoon, there’s something for everyone. 

For gasps and giggles  

Dirty Laundry
20 January – 19 February @ The Aurora Spiegeltent at the Pleasure Garden 

Did someone say we shouldn’t air our dirty laundry in public? The clever, witty and deliciously naughty team from Briefs are bound to put paid to that nonsense. Led by artistic director Fez Faanana, “classic Briefs boys, as well as some shiny new boys and toys” promise to raise the Hills Hoist on all the stuff we possibly shouldn’t be talking about but most definitely can’t wait to hear. With their last visit to Fringe (with the tantalising Bite Club) leaving our reviewer hungry for more, Dirty Laundry is a safe bet for those who like their variety with more than a little spice. Read Seesaw’s review of Briefs’ 2021 season

Odd Sock
20-22 January @ Goodwill Club at The Rechabite 

Gabbi Bolt is also airing some of her laundry – well, odd socks at least. Bolt is simply in too much of a hurry to pick up her “hot mic” to worry about mismatched clothing.  And it’s pretty damn hot. After breaking through during the pandemic on TikTok with a musical comedic spin on politics, Bolt’s first solo show earned her the Best Newcomer gong at the 2022 Sydney Comedy Festival.   We expect Odd Sock to cover similar territory – that is, anything and everything – with Bolt delivering finely tuned punchlines alongside original songs. And who can resist someone described as “balladeer meets berserk”? 

Where you From, From?
20 January – 19 February @ Palace Cinemas Raine Square 

Since trading one vagabond life for another, former flight attendant Aliya Kanani has clocked up as many laughs around the world for her show about “fitting in, sticking out and standing up” as frequent flyer miles.  With sellout performances from Edinburgh to Sydney, the Canadian uses her nomadic upbringing for comic effect. Always the new kid on the block, she quickly learned the best form of defence was to beat bullies to the punch(line). And Kanani is definitely having the last laugh. She was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in 2022 for her leading role in Scarborough, which was also in-flight entertainment on the planes she used to roll that trolley up and down. 

For groovers and shakers 

The 60 Four in Concert 
20-22 January @ Subiaco Arts Centre 

These lads may look way too young to be belting out hits from The Temptations, Elvis Presley, or Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, but they are clearly no pretenders, having won the Adelaide Fringe Best Music Weekly Award for two years running. The 60 Four promise sweet harmonies, smooth moves and the sounds of the 60s all wrapped up in one sophisticated package. The sharply dressed group will be backed by a nine-piece band, amplifying much-loved songs such as ‘My Girl’ and ‘Under the Boardwalk’. Take your mum or nana to hear the hits of their youth and chances are you’ll be swaying and swooning every bit as much.  

Up Down Left Right SATB
20-21 January @ Studio Underground at State Theatre Centre of WA 

Perth a cappella group The Baden Street Singers return to Fringe World after four years with their A game – well, multiple games, to be precise. For underneath those well-honed vocals beat the hearts of serious gamers. Think Dungeons and Dragons, board games and MMORPG (that’s massively multiplayer online role-playing games, apparently).  So they’ve forged their twin passions for Fringe World to create a journey through the best musical moments in video games, from hilarious memes to role-playing epics. Clear that memory card – it’s game on. 

Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tours
20 January – 19 February @ corner of James and Parker Streets, Northbridge 

Ever watched a flash mob perform in a city street with more than a touch of envy? Seize the day, as Guru Dudu gives you the chance to dance through Northbridge. Meet on the corner, don a pair of headphones and listen to the hilarious commentary as you await the soundtrack to your next move. Will you be a 70s disco queen? Or Vogue like 90s Madonna? Just take your queue from Guru Dudu and Dani Disco. Sure, everyone will be watching, but you’ll be having such a joyous time, the attention will only put an extra spring in your step. We have it on good authority this is 50 minutes of sheer, unadulterated fun. 

For mind and body benders 

600 Seconds – HIIT
20-28 January @ The Blue Room Theatre 

HITT (high intensity interval theatre) is the latest box of allsorts from 600 Seconds, a training ground for emerging artists to earn their stripes or more established artists to test new ideas. Each artist has only 10 minutes (or 600 seconds) to tell their story – five stories as disparate as those sharing them. There’s a slacker leeching off his parents; a peeved queer environmentalist with a baby; a swim in the hadal zone; ‘the entire happy birthday song at half speed’; and a crush that moves from heaven to hell. Part of Blue Room’s Summer Nights series, it’s safe to say the only thing to expect from each 600 seconds is the unexpected. (Dance lovers should shimmy on to 600 Seconds – MoveMoveMove.) 

80s Mixtape Cabaret
20 January – 2 February @Big Top at The Pleasure Garden 

Leap into the 80s with Kaleido Company. This band of aerialists, acrobats and other circus artists love pushing the human body to the limits – and they’re doing it to an 80s soundtrack with all the big hair and fluoro they can muster.  Hosted by British MC and comedian Andrew Silverwood, this cabaret/circus promises to be equal parts joyous and jaw-dropping. Incorporating elements of dance, physical theatre, comedy and gymnastics, the performers describe themselves as “movement scientists who live and breathe circus”. Just don’t try it at home, folks.  Read Seesaw’s review of the 2021 show

For the young (and young at heart) 

Amazing Drumming Monkeys
20-29 January @ The Gold Digger at The Pleasure Garden 

Hey, hey, we’re the Monkeys! These Adelaide-based puppets have been monkeying around for almost 20 years, on a mission to encourage kids — big and small — to laugh, dance and drum. Hand drummer Xavier Beaubois first got the idea for the musical primates after his young daughter became hysterical with laughter when he used her toy monkey’s hands to play the drums. Kiko and Bongo can’t wait to hit Fringe World audiences with their rhythm sticks (in the nicest possible way, of course).

Pictured top: Briefs are back with some “shiny new boys and toys”. Image supplied