[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Melbourne Fringe Festival is back between Thursday 12 September to Sunday 29 September 2019, brimming with the best of independent theatre, circus, music and live art for children and families.
Families are spoilt for choice with amazing FREE and affordable events for all the family running through the Spring school holidays.
Here are 12 great events of Melbourne Fringe 2019 for kids and families listed in date order.
The Fairy Wonderland show is the ultimate interactive musical fairy show for kids.
Come along on a magical journey with Fairy Jasmine, and her best friend Fairy Jack, as they show you all the things fairies get up to in Fairyland and explore what it means to be a true fairy.
The Fairy Wonderland Show | Wonderland Spiegeltent | 14-15 Sept | $16 – $18.50
2. We Are The Robots (XS)
A colourful, explorative experience where kids enter ‘The Pod’, where they will have free rein to unleash the creative beast within.
Here, they will build wild creatures using modular robot designs and experience a sonic landscape fuelled by their design choices, exploring synthesis and composition through tactile, touch sensitive MIDI technology.
We Are the Robots | Nicholson St Mall | 21 – 23 Sept, 26 – 29 Sept| FREE (Ticketed)
3. We are all CAPE-able
Part workshop, part immersive installation, We are all CAPE-able invites children ages 5-12 to become co-creators in a colourful public art experience.
Guided through hands-on crafting and interactive play activities, children will be invited to utilise recycled materials to construct their own piece of wearable recycled art.
We are all CAPE-able | Crown Street Stables | 21, 24, 25 Sept | FREE (Ticketed)
4. The Listies Make You LOL!
The Listies, Australia’s most sought after kids comedians, are returning to the Melbourne Fringe by popular demand.
Featuring alien attacks, toilet paper guns, spew, the rudest word in the world and the most disgusting pair of undies in the world! The Listies will keep making you LOL but this is the last time to ever catch this award-winning production. Don’t miss out!
The Listies | Wonderland Spiegeltent | 21 – 26 Sept | $20 – $25
5. Mad as a Cute Snake
Cardigan Coriander-Turner is a regular superhero who does regular superhero stuff, and she’s just been given a mission impossible: save her pet snake, Trix, from certain tragedy.
But one visit to school – AKA The Real World – is about to change everything. Turns out, Cardi’s not really a superhero after all. She’s just a little girl, with zero powers. How’s she going to save the day now?
Mad as a Cute Snake | Theatre Works | 21 – 26 Sept | $18.50 – $35
6. Don’t Mess with the Dummies
From the unstoppable Dummies Corp. comes an all-new extraordinary adventure!
This outlandish, circus-filled extravaganza that will leave you chuckling like a monkey and roaring for more. Read the review.
Don’t Mess with the Dummies| Wonderland Spiegeltent | 21-27 Sep | $20-$25
7. Kids Club: Juan Vesuvius says RELAX!
We’re keeping it chill in the Kids Club with the Caribbean’s most ridiculous DJ. Juan Vesuvius and his assistant Mr Piñapoople deliver a pitch-perfect mix of interactive storytelling, comedy and (of course) plenty of sweaty-as-socks dancefloor breaks, in a relaxed environment.
Juan Vesuvius says RELAX! | Fringe Hub: Trades Hall – Old Ballroom | 22 Sept | FREE – $5
8. Kids Club: Mini SPIN
Who said dance clubs are for adults only? Inspired by Anna Seymour’s SPIN, Mini SPIN is for kids and the young at heart. Join deaf hosts Anna, Luke and Robbie for an hour of dancing, Deaf culture stories and making noises to the funky beats of DJ Callum Padgham.
Mini SPIN | Fringe Hub: Trades Hall – Old Ballroom | 22 Sept | FREE – $5
9. Pirate Circus
A rip-roaring and swashbuckling adventure in which three sailors hit the high seas in search of treasure!
A scallywag pirate, a muscular sailor and a chef with a seafood allergy make for a hopeless crew as they fight for the title of Captain aboard the ship. These acrobatic pirates turn ship life upside down! Read the review.
Pirate Circus | Wonderland Spiegeltent | 22, 24, 25, 29 Sept | $20-$25
10. Tetris (XS)
This unique dance work uses strength, agility and acrobatic skill to mimic and reimagine moves from not only the cross-generational game ‘Tetris’ but also ‘Twister’ and the ‘Rubik’s Cube’. Watch, as this acrobatic quartet navigate not only the stage but each other, twisting and interlocking to communicate with and create new meanings for their bodies.
Tetris | Arts Centre Melbourne | 26 – 29 Sept| $28
11. Sonic Labyrinth (XS)
Sonic Labyrinth invites kids and their families into an immersive and interactive journey of discovery through sound. Each turn uncovers the possibility for new experiences through special listening devices and objects that enable hearing sounds on the edge of perception. This work reflects on the age-old uses of the labyrinth for problem solving, accessing creativity, transformation and communication that is both ancient and futuristic.
Sonic Labyrinth | Art Play | 26 – 29 Sept| FREE (Ticketed)
12. A Day in the Life of You
Come and visit the Musical Sprouts in their garden and help them coax Yella through the challenges of breakfast, brushing teeth, going to the toilet without falling in, and cleaning up.
Full of themes of independence, caring for others and finding a sense of belonging, this show has catchy songs, fun-filled audience participation, live instruments, dance, gorgeous artistry and a take-home album of songs.
A Day in the Life of You | Wonderland Spiegeltent |27 – 29 Sept| $18 – $20
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to turn up early with kids and people watch, pack some snacks and see who else turns up to the show.
- Stuck waiting around for a show? Young kids will enjoy practising their clapping (go for: Serious, Very Pleased, and Encore) whereas older kids can take a selfie with the posters and upload to social media, just tag #melbfringe and see what happens.
- Set your heart on a show? Why not see what else is on at that venue earlier or later that day. Many venues act as hubs for the Fringe, programming multiple events at the same time.
- Short of taking out an iphone and spending the whole show having a loud conversation with their kindy squad, there’s not much your child can do to offend. Don’t be shy to bring them; your child is welcome at Fringe.
- Parents are expected to stay with their children and purchase tickets for each adult and child attending, unless the infant is under 2 and sits on your lap (check individual listings to make sure)
- If your child doesn’t like a show, or is bored or restless, leave quietly. Consider every ticket bought worthwhile as it supports independent artists. If your children don’t love it, don’t sweat.
- Loved a show? Tell your friends, share on social, “like” the artists’ pages and, of course, Melbourne Fringe. Your support rewards the artists and helps them reach new audiences.
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