The 2015 Fringe World Festival continues its rapid growth in size and popularity with hundreds of events scheduled over the four-week program, starting today.
Premier Colin Barnett, who opened the festival last night, said Fringe World had been a highlight on the State's annual culture and arts events calendar since it began in 2011.
"Fringe World is growing at a rapid rate with more than 500 events planned for this year's festival, up from 450 in 2014," Mr Barnett said.
"It is a great lead-in to the Perth International Arts Festival, which starts on February 13, and the sorts of comedy, theatre, music and cabaret events featured in Fringe World add a quirky vibrancy to the city and other great venues around the metropolitan area.
"The Outer Fringe regional touring program has also been expanded with performances being held in eight regional centres and towns. This provides West Australians with the opportunity to see more shows and performances across the entire State than ever before."
The State Government has provided about $1.3 million to support the 2015 festival through Lotterywest, the Department of Culture and the Arts, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
This year's Outer Fringe regional touring program includes performances in Northam, Merredin, Donnybrook, Bridgetown, Ravensthorpe, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Esperance and Albany."
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the Perth Theatre Trust would join Fringe World for the first time this year, presenting a comedy program in a new custom-designed pop-up venue in the courtyard of the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia.
"Known as The Gold Digger, the venue will host 80 performances by 15 Australian and international comedy acts," Mr Day said.
Fact File
The 2014 festival attracted more than 370,000 audience members and had an economic impact to the State of about $45.5 million
For more information, visit http://www.fringeworld.com.au/
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Culture and the Arts Minister's office - 6552 6200
