New South Wales' largest independent arts festival is back, for a tenth birthday celebration spreading across 21 postcodes.
Presented throughout September, Fringe continues to highlight Sydney's vibrant culture in the form of a diverse programme of performances, exhibitions, and large-scale events spanning music, theatre, comedy, visual art, film, dance, circus, literature, and poetry.
There will be more than 342 shows, 120 world premieres, 129 Australian premieres, and 38 Sydney premieres.
Kicking things off will be Fringe Ignite, the festival's opening party. It will fill the entire length of Newtown's King Street, with live music for all ages. The line-up includes D.C Cross, Darby, Elizabeth Fader, Kesmar, Lady King, Little Quirks, Ross Tipper, Taj Ralph, The Good Boys, The Van Demons, with more to be announced.
The Newtown precinct returns in 2019 as well. There will be over 192 events across 22 inner-west venues. It sees the return of the Emerging Artist Share House with World's Best/Worst House Party'.
The Innocent Bystanders Touring Hub at the Old 505 Theatre Newtown will expand on two stages, with a programme of performances curated by Kerri Glasscock, including 'Orpheus' and 'Eurydice' from Gobbledigook Theatre, 'LOVE+' from MALAPROP Theatre Company, 'Love/Hate Actually' by Brisbane-based Act/React, and more.
Fringe expands to The Rocks Hub for the first time as well, featuring 66 events across 13 spaces. 'Speed: The Movie, The Play' makes its Sydney premiere aboard a vintage bus, and arts-lovers can attend a free programme Friday to Sunday filling streets and laneways with shows, performances, market stalls and other hidden surprises.
L-R: Minnie Cooper, Kerrie Glasscock, Declan Kelly - Image © Steven Siewert
George Place will play host to a month-long pop-up exhibition curated by Stencil Art Prize. There will be works from Tiera Boo, Camo, Sophie Odling, and Nev Sety.
With 30 events across 8 spaces, the City Tatts Hub highlights include the Archie Rose Cabaret Club (with a line-up including Sydney Fringe Ambassador Minnie Cooper, 'Discharged! A Nursing Cabaret', and 'Sinsational Rita & Mae'), Heaps Gay for one night only, and the official closing party (an immersive theatre event 'Dance All Night').
Kensington Street will join forces with Tortuga Studios for 'Babylon', in an evening of performance, live music, food, soundscapes, and projections.
A highlight from greater Sydney includes Fringeville where Fringe takes over Hurstville Plaza for three nights of free entertainment.
Together with Parramatta City Council, Fringe will present The Area... A weekend of free live music in and around Parramatta Town Hall curated by The Area Projects and Beatdisc Records.
This year's ambassadors are Ayeesha Ash, Declan Kelly, Minnie Cooper, and DJ Jazzy.
“2019 is Fringe’s 10th birthday and we are celebrating with an epic program,” Sydney Fringe CEO Kerri Glasscock says.
“In true Fringe style the 2019 programme will highlight all that Sydney’s dynamic cultural sector has to offer, returning to our roots and stretching into Western Sydney, but also looking forward to the future and painting the CBD pink.”
