festival

One Call You Definitely Want To Answer

London Calling

London Calling Rating

★★★★★

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London Calling: Absolutely Brilliant

Host and MC Paul Dabek takes the audience on a nostalgic stroll through the London of his memories — and honestly, who doesn’t love a wander down memory lane? When that journey is punctuated by performers of this calibre, it becomes something truly special.

Framed around stories of a childhood train trip to visit his grandad and wide-eyed visits to London’s iconic landmarks, each anecdote is cleverly paired with a complementary act. The result is a show that feels cohesive rather than just a string of variety performances. And what performances they are! We’re treated to dizzying suitcase spinning, a breath-taking aerialist, juggling (with his mouth!), mesmerising hoop work — human slinky, anyone? — magic, illusion, and shadow puppetry that has absolutely no right to be that exciting. Seriously, highlight of the night.

 

London Calling
London Calling

 

The show is completely family-friendly
 but learn from my mistake and maybe don’t bring your kids. Mine mocked me relentlessly while I cringed through audience participation and then finished me off by asking about the “old” references and music. Nothing like your children to humble you after an epic night out.

Having seen more than a few Fringe shows this season, London’s Calling is a genuine standout (thank you to the friend who told me to do myself a favour and book tickets — excellent life advice). The performers are immensely skilled, Dabek keeps the energy soaring, and the staging elevates the entire experience. The projected backdrop transforms ‘plastic chairs in a disused tennis court’ into faraway streets, effortlessly transporting the audience across the globe.

In short: clever, polished, and wildly entertaining — this is one call you definitely want to answer.

To book tickets to London Calling, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/london-calling-fw2026.

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Club D’Amour: Encore

Club D'Amour: Encore

Club D’Amour: Encore Rating

★★★★★

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Club D’Amour is not a show that eases you in — from the very first beat, you’re swept up in a delicious whirlwind of sound, sparkle, and joyous excess. This is Fringe at its most indulgent: part party, part performance, and entirely committed to giving the audience a night they won’t forget.

First up, the choreography —it’s bold, precise, and bursting with attitude. Add staging, music, and sound design, and you’ve got a magnificent space where circus, drag, burlesque, and knockout live vocals collide in the best possible way.

And then there’s hostess Fay Rocious — quite simply, the most mostess. Commanding, charismatic, and wickedly funny, she steers the evening with effortless confidence, making the audience feel both welcome and just a little bit mischievous.

 

Club D'Amour: Encore
Club D'Amour: Encore

 

The cast? Ridiculously good. Matthew Pope, Melina Mall, Nat Oakes, Wade Ryder, Tom McKinnon, and Antonia Sassine deliver a feast of swinging, flying, spinning, and contorting that borders on hypnotic. The physicality alone is mesmerising, but Club D’Amour refuses to settle for just one flavour of spectacle. Instead, it launches headfirst into themed performances that blend silliness with cheekiness, comedy with spectacle, and more than a few surprises.

Bubbles, flames, cowboys — the show is gloriously full-throttle from the get-go. It’s bold, playful, and just the right amount of outrageous. Club D’Amour doesn’t just invite you to watch; it dares you to surrender to the fun. Resistance, frankly, is futile.

To book tickets to Club D’Amour: Encore, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/club-d-amour-encore-fw2026.

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Briefs: The Works

Briefs: The Works

Briefs: The Works Rating

★★★★★

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4

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 risquĂ©; oh my god and Oh. My. God! (IYKYK).

 

Briefs: The Works
Briefs: The Works

 

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

Gasha

Gasha Rating

★★★★★

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0

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
Gasha

 

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.

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