It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas, Fringe World Festival! It’s a time where Northbridge is abuzz with chatter of people who have just been to see a show and may not be quite sure what they just witnessed but loved it anyway, and the excitement of those on the way to their very first Fringe experience. It’s a time that brings people of all ages into the city and there truly is something for everyone…you just have to know what to choose. And there comes the hardest part of Fringe; there are SO many shows to choose from, with many a talented artist or group having toiled away for months or years to bring it to life with all their blood, sweat and I’m sure a lot of tears, only to experience small audiences. Quality over quantity definitely counts in some cases, with an engaged crowd providing the energy the artists thrive off to deliver their very best work.
One show that is definitely not light on energy from either the artists or the crowd is Primal, described as a circus for grown-ups inspired by the raw energy of the animal kingdom and the complexities of human relationships. From the opening musical number we were hooked; this 65-minute thrill ride in the Heath Ledger Theatre at the State Theatre Centre of WA, had me unsure of whether to be amazed or terrified with the strength and flexibility of this suite of performers. Clearly I’m getting old when I’m thinking ‘wow that is incredible, but how is she not hurting her neck?!’
From burlesque numbers, to amazing aerial acrobatics and sheer displays of female strength with the subversion of traditional gender roles, with some comic relief thrown in, Primal is exactly the sort of show that Fringe is all about. With a blank stage as their canvas, you weren’t distracted by fancy set pieces and became fully engaged, if not mesmerised by each act. The amount of trust the performers had in each other was clear as the tension in the theatre built of where they would take the show next. We had been instructed by the show’s fabulous emcee to hoot and holler as much as we wanted and the audience grasped that challenge with all their might. One stand out act in particular, early in the show had me waiting for the fire sprinklers in the theatre to go off, partly due to the heat between the performers.
I almost don’t know how to describe this show further without spoiling it, so you’re just going to have to trust me when I say this is one of the must-see shows of this year’s festival.
Primal runs daily from Wednesday 28th Jan to Sunday 1st Feb. While there is a matinee on the Saturday and Sunday for those who prefer to be ‘home by 9’; don’t let that fool you, this is an 18+ show.
With one week down and three more to go, there is plenty of time to experience the buzz of Fringe. Get out there and see as much as you can, big or small. Sure, ask your friends for recommendations but above all pick some random shows, because you never know what you may find…and that is the best part of Fringe.
To book tickets to Primal, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/primal-fw2026.
