Fringe festivals are a place for risk-taking, for subversion, for diversity and defiance. So, it’s no surprise that so many incredible queer artists choose to showcase the full rainbow of their creativity at these events. Here are just a few of the queer talents headlining this year's Melbourne Fringe.
Someone call the doctor, cos these fuckbois are sik! All Dazza and Keif want is to be YouTube famous. Is that so much to ask? In their quest for success they’re breaking some shapes and busting out the breakdance skillz, hoping for viral megahit. Created by the masterminds behind Melbourne’s Cult Dance studio, Danni Ray and Keely Windred, come for the physical comedy, stay for the feminism infused social satire.
From 22 Sep at Arts House
You might well know her as the socialite to be seen with, a paragon of class and refinement, a champagne-sipping cause célèbre! But it wasn’t always so for Ms CeCe Rockefeller. From the mind of writer-performer Christopher Fieldus and dramaturg Cathy Hunt, this deliciously subversive one-woman comedy of manners is the perfect fit for those with a yen for the old world charm of yesteryear with queer, contemporary twists.
From 14 Sep at Errol’s & Co
In what has become an annual Melbourne Fringe tradition, those premiere purveyors of queer dramatic magic, Little Ones Theatre, present an homage, a memorial, and a damn good party inspired by a late, great icon of queer pop culture. This year, it’s the timeless genius of the one and only Witney Houston taking centre stage. It’s going to be So Emotional.
21 Sep at Arts House
GINGZILLA: Glamonster Vs The World
She’s a bearded beauty on a quest to conquer the world via the surprising camp kitsch of the B-Movie monster. With the help of Godzilla and King Kong, Gingzilla is taking on the politics of gender identity and feminity in the 21st-century, one demolished city at a time. Think you can escape the wrath of this 7ft glamonstrous powerhouse? Not by the hairs on her chinny-chin-chin.
From 14 Sep at Arts House
At the heart of this incisively comic show is a simple question: how does it feel to be a minority within a minority? Unpacking the issues and concerns that arise when culture, identity, sexuality and social justice collide, this fascinating and humour-pricked show takes the audience behind closed doors to meet the men of a newly established queer Asian support group.
From 20 Sep at Footscray Community Arts Centre
Gaggin' for some draggin'? After an eleganza extravaganza? Want your edges snatched your lips synced? Comedian Lou Wall and her band of fabulous femmes have got just the show for you. Channelling the TV megahit (that needs no introduction), join the race to find Melbourne’s next drag superstar! You better WERQ!
From 23 Sep at Lithuanian Club
Experience the sublime stylings of gender transcendent diva Mama Alto and non-binary chanteuse Mx Munro as they deliver an evening celebrating the excellence, power, beauty and talent of transgender, intersex and gender diverse artists. Told in song and story, this empowering evening of music reveals the torch songs for an age where the queer identity is finally walking tall.
25 Sep at the Lithuanian Club, Main Theatre
