Fringe World Festival - Whats The Show

How To Stay Married Without Exploding!

28/01/2026 Carmen Jenner🥉

How To Stay Married Without Exploding! Rating

★★★★★

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Do you remember that trapped feeling we had while in lockdown during the pandemic? Well, imagine being confined not only to your house, but to less than a square metre in your living room for 10 years. This unlucky predicament is exactly what Francis Molloy found himself in when forced to stand with both feet on top of an unexploded landmine in his living room.

Set in Berlin in 1955, Francis turns this strange turn of events into content by creating the reality TV show “How to Stay Married Without Exploding!” It’s the 400th episode, and it’s auspicious because his wife, Annette, plans to make her debut during this episode. Given the circumstances, you would think that marriage would be the least of Francis’ concerns.

This one-man production raises so many questions. Some answers are organically revealed, and others, the audience asks while acting as the TV audience. It’s the kind of show requiring a certain degree of suspended disbelief, and I challenge you to ask a question that Francis doesn’t have an answer to.

Played by the American-born theatre-maker Matthew J. Young, with further development, this has the makings of being transformed into a podcast or YouTube channel.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in any facet of life or relationship, you’ll relate. Performed at three historic venues, including Julio’s Italian Restaurant, the character-filled settings are the perfect backdrop to this nostalgic performance. It’s only fitting to order a martini as you cheer Francis along on his dark journey of self-discovery.

“How to stay married without exploding!” Plays from Friday 23rd January to Friday 13th February at Julio’s Italian, Midland Junction Arts Centre and Mahogany Inn and Distillery.

To book tickets to How To Stay Married Without Exploding!, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/how-to-stay-married-without-exploding-fw2026.

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#Since1994

24/01/2026 Natalie Rees🥉

Since 1994 Rating

★★★★★

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As Perth Fringe opened this week I was incredibly excited to see this international contemporary circus act from Taiwan. To be honest – I was a little unsure what to expect from the description of the show but my expectations were well exceeded.

Part circus, part physical theatre, this show is definitely the best kind of off beat and for those looking for something different. All I could think of what how interesting, thought provoking and expressive this show is.

How and where did these women train? What is their background? And what made them want perform this rebellious circus act that differs so drastically from any traditional circus?

A little research about performer and creator of #since1994 Mei Chih-ling reveals that she studied at the prestigious National Taiwan College of Performing Arts which undoubtably informs her art today and maybe not for the reasons we would first think. Chih-Ling shares that “In school, female students would be punished if they gained 0.1 kilogram, so we were afraid to even drink water before weighing ourselves.” These kinds of experiences transfer to the stage and comment not only on industry expectations but what it means to be a woman today. How do we allow ourselves to be treated? How do we feel? What is our purpose? What are we capable of?

Rated PG I tentatively took my 7 year old daughter (who is a bit of an acrobat herself) along to this show not 100% sure if it would be appropriate. What I learnt was, that it was 100% the perfect show for us and we both loved it! It also lead to a great discussion point with her. Did she ever want to create her own work? While my daughter loves her calisthenics classes – would it be freeing for her to use her skills she has learnt to tell her own stories in the future rather than just be instructed what to tell? It was something I had thought about in the past but seeing these powerful women (both physically and mentally) in the flesh perform this was a real inspiration.

The show is as impressive with its thought provoking nature as it is with it’s circus acts itself. The strength, talent and cohesion of this all female troupe was outstanding. We saw human towers, table spinning on feet at speeds I’d never seen, contortion, hula hooping, aerial acts and juggling.

They didn’t miss the comedy of circus either and both my daughter and myself were giggling along to some sillier and more playful moments of the show. She especially loved the audience participation when she got to draw on the artists with lipstick.

This show has all the feels and takes you on an unexpected emotional journey. It’s beautifully poetic and spectacle to watch. By the end it had me with tears in my eyes; I wasn’t quite sure why, but it was something to do with the unity of women, our struggles, experiences and possibilities we all have combined.

#Since1994 runs Wednesday the 21st of January till Sunday the 1st of February at The Gold at The Pleasure Garden.

To book tickets to Since 1994, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/since1994-fw2026.

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Briefs: The Works

24/01/2026 Emma Basc 🥉

Briefs: The Works Rating

★★★★★

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Briefs: The Works

Whenever I ask for recommendations on what to see at the FRINGEWORLD Festival, Briefs is always on the list. It’s a fan favourite for good reason, and there’s a reason people return season after season to see the new show. This year is no exception — and it absolutely does not disappoint.

In 2026, Briefs celebrates its 18th birthday, with 13 of those years right here in Perth. The Works is a celebration of that journey, bringing together and reimagining some of their most loved elements to create a bold, brand-new show.

What you get is Briefs’ unmistakable blend of sparkle and sass; risky and risqué; oh my god and Oh. My. God! (IYKYK).

The show begins the moment you step into the venue. Performers roam the space, interacting with the audience and setting the tone for what’s to come — and oh my goodness, what does come. How do you sum up Briefs in 300-ish words? Think jaw-dropping strength, grace, and power from the aerialists; flawless acrobatics paired with pitch-perfect mime; the hairiest man I have ever seen (and oh my goodness did we see a lot of him!) dancing en pointe — and jumping en pointe (my toes hurt just watching). Add the grossest thing I’ve ever seen done with a balloon, fire nipple tassels, audience interaction, and, of course, the infamous splash zone and you get a bit of an idea of what Briefs – The Works has to offer.

I cannot say enough good things about this show — but a word of warning: this is not one to take your young children to, and there is a lot of swearing. If bad language or adult content offends you, this isn’t for you. But if you’re up for a wildly entertaining night out filled with aerials, acrobatics, drag, sequins, and unapologetic attitude, this show will absolutely fill your cup.

Briefs: The Works is showing for the entire FRINGEWORLD season (except Mondays). If, like me, you’ve been hearing about Briefs for the last 13 years and wondering whether you should book a ticket, take this as your sign — book now.

More information:
https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/briefs-the-works-fw2026

To book tickets to Briefs: The Works, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/briefs-the-works-fw2026.

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GASHA: Where Tradition Collides With The Future

24/01/2026 Emma Basc 🥉

Gasha Rating

★★★★★

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GASHA: Where Tradition Collides With The Future

I want to start by apologising to the performers. I was so utterly enthralled and completely absorbed that I forgot to applaud and show these incredible artists the love they deserved. My plus one—well accustomed to my enthusiastic noise-making at circus shows—eventually leaned over and whispered, “Shouldn’t we clap?” Oh my goodness.

It turns out the rest of the audience was just as mesmerised. We all sat in silence until when my plus one and I finally clapped and cheered, suddenly it felt like everyone had been given permission to applaud, but moments later we were back to mesmerised and the audience was silent again. Performers if you are reading this, you were STUNNING! The silence was a reflection of our awe and not a suggestion you weren’t all amazing.

GASHA is the latest masterpiece from Cirquework, and last night marked its dazzling global debut—right here in little old Perth. Remember when “no one comes to Perth”? Those days are well and truly gone. I don’t use the word dazzling lightly. The performers were stunning, powerful, and exquisitely skilled, complimented by the lighting design—strobe effects and an LED backdrop—elevated the show to another level not often seen at a Fringe show.

This production is an exquisite tapestry of art. Kimono-inspired costumes seamlessly merge with modern aerial attire. Live-mixed music weaves alongside the haunting sounds of the shamisen (a traditional Japanese banjo). Talented musicians meet gifted aerialists, acrobats, a mesmerising Cyr wheel artist and I don’t know what kind of artist name you use for someone who spins fabric and balances umbrellas, but what ever that is called, that was beautiful too. Every element blends together in a vivid celebration and tribute to Japanese culture.

GASHA is showing for the full FRINGEWORLD Festival season (except Mondays), plays at the very civilised time of 6:15pm, and is performed in a blissfully air-conditioned venue. It truly ticks all the boxes.

More information https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/gasha-fw2026

To book tickets to Gasha, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/gasha-fw2026.

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

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