“It might be a roll of the dice, but the odds are in your favour”, says Nelson Fringe Festival director Giles Burton. Choosing a fringe festival show can sometimes be a gamble, but with a programme packed with comedy, theatre, cabaret, music, improvisation, dance, puppetry and more, there’s definitely something for everyone.
Words: Judene Edgar
“A fringe show is life on the edge - it’s about stories and laughs and music that is happening right there,” says Giles. “There’s such a great mix of really exciting works. With up to three shows each night, you can start the night with a play, then see a comedy, and end with a cabaret.” To get the most out it, Giles recommends going to at least three shows: one you’ll love, one you’ll like, and one that you have no idea about. “Most shows are on multiple nights this year which means people don’t need to miss out on any of the shows they want to see; and using three venues means that there is a greater range of shows on offer than ever before.”
It’s been four years since the last full fringe festival in Nelson, so Giles is excited to present a jam-packed programme with 38 shows. The festival took a break in 2019, and in 2020, having already postponed the festival twice due to Covid, was switched up to a highly successful virtual festival. In 2021 it was back in person with a smaller “best of” festival with 13 shows including the introduction of Scratch Nights. “Scratch nights are an innovative way for creators to experiment with new shows, new formats, and new characters,” says Giles. “Performers present short pieces of work in development and take audience feedback. Some succeed, some need development, and some might fail.”
Not only is there a Scratch Night again this year, but two of last year’s performers have gone on to create full-length shows. Comedians Mary Glaisyer and James Murray were in the same Scratch Night last year and both have shows in this year’s festival. When Mary entered Scratch Night, she says that she didn’t realise how much people would enjoy her comedy. “It’s very useful to get feedback and it gave me the encouragement to work on a full-length show. I’m really looking forward to presenting four shows alongside Stephan Gilberg.” In A Little Closer to the Edge, Mary draws on her life experiences to provide humorous and sometimes absurd stories with musical interludes from Stephan.
Scratch Night was James’s first foray into comedy and his first time on stage since he was nine. “I got to 40 and realised that I want to do those things I really enjoy and give that crazy side of me a go again. Scratch Night was such a brilliant opportunity, and the audience was really lovely.” James says that it’s a wonderful way for people to release their creative energy, uncover their talents, and give them the confidence they need to perform – whatever their age. He has since gone on to perform at Backroom Comedy and to develop his new show Hawkman, which he describes as “a narrative comedy with a bit of a story behind it”.
Improviser Jim Risner may be a seasoned performer, but this year he has written and is starring in his own one-person play. “I usually stay in the comedy realm, but I’ve always liked sci-fi yet there’s never any sci-fi theatre,” he says. Only One Choice was originally written in 2019 for the Dunedin Fringe Festival, but due to the cancellation of the 2020 festival it premiered to an audience of 12 people in the back of a pub. “It rolled, and I’ve done some tweaks since then, so I’m looking forward to performing it to a full-sized audience,” Jim laughs. Only One Choice is set 34 years in the future where Cam is working on an energy station in the middle of the Atlantic. His only companion, CC, the central computer, wants to be human but doesn’t know how to achieve it.
Another one-person play is The Sh*t Kid from award-winning writer and comedian Sarah Harpur. The Sh*t Kid is about sibling rivalry, Olympic dreams, and a sexy horse. While her twin brother wins Olympic medals, Sharni is relegated to teaching rich kids to ride horses. Sharni has a plan to get to the Olympics, but standing in her way is a baby, a lack of cash, and a sh*tty temperament. Despite being “so fictional”, Sarah says that she did grow up riding ponies and that Mark Todd was a big hero of hers. “I find the equestrian world quite fascinating, but underneath it all, it’s about Sharni’s drive for ambition which comes from struggling with the drudgery of motherhood and trying to escape that.” Sarah has performed The Sh*t Kid at the New Zealand and Dunedin fringe festivals and is looking forward to her first Nelson Fringe Festival. “I’m really excited that the arts are continuing to persevere through these times. It’s always amazing to have the opportunity to put yourself out there in front of a live audience.”
Another show hot off the fringe festival tour is Ocean Denham’s R18 cabaret No! I’m Not Australian! The part comedy, part musical, feminist extravaganza is inspired by Ocean’s own somewhat bizarre, and often cringeworthy experiences as a Kiwi in the UK. “I had an idea of what my trip was going to be like before I left, but the reality wasn’t nearly as glamorous as how other people paint their experiences.” Sharing the amazing and crazy events from her trip, she’s realised that she’s not alone, with audience members coming up to her afterwards sharing their stories, and happy that they’re not alone either. “I like the idea of making things more acceptable. I strip away and talk about things people wouldn’t want to talk about, especially taboo subjects or things women aren’t always meant to talk about.”
Also weaving songs and true-life stories together is Jess D’Ath in her show Break which tackles the topic of postnatal depression. Jess takes the audience on a journey through the strange dual-reality of millennial motherhood in the age of social media – the most connected yet ironically unconnected generation. Eight years in the making, Jess says that she wanted to put it into the fringe for the last four years, but finally decided to this year. “I’ve never performed it before so I’m nervous and excited to see how the audience react to it.”
The Up Late Cabaret is back again bigger and better than ever, taking over the Red Door Theatre for more R18 late-night action. Curated by Jasmine Tease, the cabarets feature a hand-picked itinerary of musical, burlesque, comedy and lip sync talent. With a different line-up each night, there’s every reason to go twice! Jasmine says that she’s super excited to present Up Late Cabaret as it gives local and visiting artists a chance to showcase some of their other talents.
“It’s time to get back into theatres and enjoy live entertainment again,” says Giles. “You never quite know what you’re going to get but take a risk and see something you may not normally see.”
The 10-day festival runs 23 June – 2 July at Red Door Theatre, Studio One and the Refinery Artspace. The full programme is available online at nelsonfringe.co.nz.
