10/01/01
Arts Minister Mike Board is urging people to freshen up their ideas about arts and culture and experience entertainment with a difference at this year’s Fringe Festival.
Launching the three-week festival today, Mr Board said the program of events was extensive and should prove to have something of interest to everyone.
“The Fringe had an incredibly successful first year in 2000, with 102 events spread between Albany, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Perth and this year, it’s guaranteed to be even better with more local, national and international events - including, for the first time, the Perth Comedy Season,” he said.
“The idea of a comedy season in Perth is long overdue and it makes an exciting addition to the festival program.
“The season will incorporate traditional stand-up, with a competition offering $2,000 in prizes, comedy debates, cabaret evenings, theatrical performances and a roving soapbox team who will comb the streets with a camera in tow - it should prove very popular.
“The WA Fringe Festival is not only an exciting and entertaining arm of the Perth International Arts Festival - it provides freshness and opportunities for local and emerging artists and works to be seen during a season of other local, national and international arts programs.”
This year’s festival also will invite greater interaction between the community and the arts through the Internet, video and new media.
“These interactions through the Net mean that people from regional Western Australia can also have access to the Fringe,” Mr Board said.
“I am confident the 2001 Fringe Festival will prove a great success in attracting many more people, and particularly young people, to the arts.”
The Fringe Festival operates January 26 - February 17.
Media contact:
Tamatha Smith, 9222 9211
