Sink Your Teeth In The Auckland Fringe Festival’s Juicy 2022 Programme

Auckland Fringe has just launched its dynamic, and inclusive programme, with over 70 shows and performances that push the boundaries of theatre, comedy, music, dance, circus, exhibitions and so much more. For the first time the festival will happen on its new dates of 30 August – 17 September, perfect timing to launch Tāmaki Makaurau right into spring. Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho, the Director of Auckland Fringe is excited and hopeful about this year's festival.

“The Auckland Fringe whānau are ecstatic to unveil our first ever spring festival! The team are fully aware that the impacts of covid are still lingering for artists AND audiences. We’ve been working closely with our artists and partners to build a new platform that helps break down potential anxieties, uplift experimental artistry, and mark the 2022 Fringe experience as a time to celebrate our collective tenacity whilst embracing the chaos that is a Fringe Festival.” - Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho, Director of Auckland Fringe

Audiences are asked to open their minds for all of the out of the box works this festival has to offer. It's wacky, it's weird, it's silly, it's tantalising, it is Auckland Fringe. Between theatre, comedy, dance, poetry, cabaret, circus, or what falls in the fringes there will be something to shock, awe, and enjoy for all walks of life. For those that like to get involved in their performances

A Slightly Isolated Dog

is back with their brand new interactive theatre project

The Trojan War

as told by five flirtatious “French” performers. Comedy lovers can celebrate with the first ever

Wahine Māori Comedy Line Up Show

which will reduce punters to puddles of tears from laughter with a line up brought together by the outstanding

Janaye Henry

. Get in line for

Bull Rush 1822

for an improvised and hilarious play inspired by the hit Netflix show

Bridgerton

, made up on the spot for your delight.

This year’s festival welcomes with open arms the first international performances since 2019. Australian theatre company Nuworks brings us a selection of high energy theatre works all directed by

David Dunn

with all performances at the Pitt Street Theatre. In a gripping tale of tragedy told through the lens of epic theatre,

Belfast

tells the story of Belfast, Northern Ireland from the Titanic to the beginning of the Troubles.

Suffragettes

offers a part verbatim, part musical theatre, and always theatrical show that chronicles the ten years of torment and torture culminating in the ultimate victory of Emmeline Pankhurst and the other heroic women of the Women’s Social and Political Union.

Romeo and Julia in Belfast

offers a hybrid drama that recontextualises Romeo and Juliet in contemporary Belfast, where the sectarian divide between protestant and catholic families re-defines the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues.

There’s also plenty of deliciously dark comedy in the programme.

Grief-Sex-Race

by

Jessica Karamjeet

takes the viewer on a taboo-busting, stereotype-subverting hour that makes for mind and sides workout (from all the laughter of course) as she navigates the awkward intersections of her identity while grieving the loss of her dear, departed dad.

Nathan Joe

is at it again with

Gay Death Stocktake

which takes inspiration from the idea of ‘Gay Death’ - life as a gay man ends at thirty. There is no rehearsal and no director, just thirty tasks waiting on stage meaning each viewing is different to the one before.

Some more contemplative works include

My Grandfather is a Canoe.

Fresh from Dunedin Fringe, this work delivers poems of voyager

Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna'i

from a sea locked waka in the Pacific right to the Māngere Arts Centre stage. The work journeys through songs, dance, poetry with the illustrations of

Silivelio Fasi

to accompany the work.

(Love, Mum)

is the autobiographical solo performance from

Cynthia Lam

, weaving the tales of three generations and their stories of survival, change and self-dignity. This story is shared all while fostering the spirit of community-building with all women regardless of their race or cultural background.

Head out for a boogie or two with the abundance of audio engaged works.

The Human Kind

and

Speech Act Theory

have teamed up to perform a multi-genre musical experience at the beautiful Vic Theatre in Devonport. Think cinematic sounds that soothe the senses developing into trip-hop grooves and hypnotic vocals to expand the mind and get the feet moving. This show comes with an emphasis on supporting organisations that promote mental health in Aotearoa, profits will be donated to Lifeline Aotearoa. Give

Carawei Gao’s

album a listen as she performs

The Moon and the Tides

,

an experimental yet powerful album that will break hearts and mend them together again

.

The

Dust Palace

circus artists support this live album performance with a visual exploration of poise and subtlety.

Wordsmiths rejoice with the succulent array of literary performances on offer.

Concertina Productions

presents

Dancing The Owl,

a theatrical reading of poetry written by

Peter Le Baige

. Expressed by a youthful ensemble, this collaboration with award-winning actor

Willa O’Neill

takes flight with Peter’s words and allows them to soar across the space. In

Writing Home,

Miss Leading

and

Rose Northey

have teamed up to create a fully immersive experience of poetry, comedy, song, music, and live illustration all on the theme of home.

Head on over to the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre to catch

Carrie Rudzinski

and

Olivia Hall’s

masterpiece of poetry theatre

Hysterical

, confronting body politics, systemic sexism, and weeping uncontrollably in the supermarket. This powerhouse performance intertwines social issues and personal stories to create a confronting but relatable body of work. Also on offer at the Herald is

James Brodie: Becoming Brodie Tour 2022

where Ivy Blue frontman James Brodie embarks on his first-ever solo tour sharing stories about growing up with Autism and ADHD and his original songs. Motivational, Uplifting, Beautiful, and at times funny; this is a show not to be missed.

These highlights barely scrape the surface of the full Fringe experience in store for Aucklanders this September. The full 2022 programme is live on Auckland Fringe’s website now and is just absolutely brimming with possibilities.

Explore the full Auckland Fringe programme at aucklandfringe.co.nz

Keep up-to-date on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @aklfringe
#AKLfringe

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