The year 2023 may have been The Laugh Resort's biggest Perth Fringe World yet. . . But in 2024, the comedy club is outdoing itself with more than 80 comics throughout the season.
This year there's even more homegrown comedic talent and more international acts being welcomed back too. Manager Di Star says Fringe World is the best time of the year – a time when the three-decades-old club ramps up to entertain the masses.
“Not only is this a creatively fruitful time for performers, who get to ply their craft more often (and hopefully more lucratively) in front of more people over a condensed period, but Fringe go-ers – particularly comedy-lovers – can indulge in a much broader array of talent than is otherwise on offer here year-round,” Di says.
Visiting acts and local stars will present full-length shows, but the indecisive can check out 9 At 9, the weekly festival show.
Meanwhile, the club's regular monthly show will be its popular Fringe Preview, featuring some extra special guests who've arrived in Perth early.
The Fringe World festivities at The Laugh Resort begin when the festival begins, as opening weekend presents rising star WAAPA grad Mariah O'Dea's satire on influencer culture, and the latest from cult favourite Sonny Yang.
A little later, '2 Aussies 2 Brits' sees internationally renowned London compere Martin Davis and Manchester's WA-based Jon Pinder, with local headliners Andrew Wolfe and Xavier Susai in an hour of solid comedy gold. Plus, Bad Dads features a rotating line-up of Perth's funny fathers.
Emo Majok - Image © Scott Horsburgh
The UK gets a look-in with Gordon Southern bringing 'A Brief History Of History', and our nation's top tier is represented through homegrown star Claire Hooper, and a premiere from Aussie prophet Daniel Muggleton.
Sketch-based 'No Babies In The Sauna' is a comedic tale of attending the world's premier clown school from Fringe World first-timer and South Aussie Yozi. On the other end, Fringe veteran and cult favourite Tomás Ford brings 'Camp Tomás Ford', the story of a leap from daggy dad to gay icon.
Emo Majok's unlikely tale of becoming a comedian from beginnings as a refugee to a Golden Buzzer finalist on 'Australia's Got Talent' is uplifting and inspiring in 'African Aussie'.
The Fringe World debut of rising Aussie stand-up star Lucy Henderson, 'Comedy Cluedo', might be just the night out for you if you're a fan of comedy of the interactive kind. Plus, UK-based US comedian Robyn Perkins encourages laughter and learning in panel show 'Comedy For The Curious'.
The international LOLs don't stop – with the final fortnight bringing the festival debut of awarded South African former teacher turned comic/sports broadcaster Dalin Oliver, with '90 Day Comedian'. Plus, after an eight-year absence, American comic and author Kirk Smith brings 'A Comedian's Guide To Autism'.
Canadian Academy Award-nominated actor Aliya Kanani presents a new hour of laughs in 'Aliya Kanani Is A Work In Progress'.
WA's face of the Oz ‘Lotterée’, Emma Krause makes her solo debut in '40 + Fabulous'.
The festival's funniest comedians of the female persuasion (including Aliya and Emma) will celebrate friendship in the tradition originated by 'Parks And Recreation', Galentine's Day, in a gala hosted by Robyn Perkins.
Also for one night only are '(Not) The Bachelor Live On Valentine's Day With Luke Bolland' and Shayne Hunter's 'Swipe Left For Drama: How Childhood Upsets Cause Romantic Regrets'.
The final one-off sees sfx creative Doug Bayne venture from behind the scenes work with The Umbilical Bros., Tom Walker and Sam Campbell to premiere his solo off-the-wall comedy; while rounding out Fringe’s final week is the return of 2023 smash hit improv championship The Australian O-Pun hosted by Louisa Fitzhardinge.
The Laugh Resort presents acts for Fringe World (Perth) from 19 January-18 February.
