Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett

Perth Audiences Urged To Get On The Fringe

Victor P Taffa

• Fringe World includes 150 events from 800 local and overseas artists
• Performances are free or at affordable ticket prices
• State Government has provided support of more than $1 Million

Premier Colin Barnett tonight opened Fringe World 2012 and urged Perth audiences to support Western Australia’s first full Fringe Arts Festival.

Premier Barnett said the festival would run until February 19 with a program that includes more than 150 performances from 800 local and overseas artists.

“The organisers assure me that you will laugh and cry, and be surprised and even shocked. Sounds like a day in politics.” Premier Barnett said.

 

“I am sure that, with a full program of cabaret, circus, comedy, dance, music acts, with film and visual arts, Fringe World will provide something to appeal to everyone’s tastes and I hope that Perth people and visitors alike will come out to support our first fringe festival.”

“Many of the events are free or at affordable ticket prices.”

The State Government supports Fringe World through $387,000 from the Department of Culture and the Arts and a Lotterywest grant of $750,000.

“Fringe World provides performance opportunities for new and alternative acts while also offering audiences a new and different arts experience.” the Premier said.

Premier Barnett said the venues being used this year will be a big part of the experience.

“The Spiegeltent a 1905 dance hall from Belgium is a truly unique and beautiful venue and the old Treasury Buildings come to life after being empty since the early 1990’s.”

“I congratulate Artrage for putting the festival together and wish performers and audiences a wonderful and entertaining Fringe World Festival.” Premier Barnett said.

Fact File

• Perth’s Fringe Festival is the only one to own its own Spiegeltent, Spiegeltent means ‘mirrored tent’ in Dutch. This tent is known as ‘De Parel’, or ‘The Pearl’
• The first Fringe Festival was held in Scotland in 1947. There are now more than 100 Fringe Festivals running alongside traditional arts festivals