A fierce, feisty and fabulous, Fringe Festival is ready to roll out some colourful mayhem in the Cultural Capital from 10 February until 03 March 2012. As if you Wellingtonians aren’t spoilt enough when it comes to kooky, crazy performance art!


Fringe 2012 is stacking the city with weird and wonderful expressions of art for three weeks – more than 60 visual, music, dance and theatre performances will be found in 30 sites around the city featuring hundreds of participants. Best of all, 20 of these performances are free or koha!


Heading the Fringe Festival 2012 is producer Emma Flack who is proud to be bringing together some of Wellington’s iconic festivals.


Emma says, “I am astounded to see the creativity and passion that has gone into the 2012 Fringe shows. We have everything from superheroes and space bitches to traditional dancers from Ghana, from garden gnomes from the Netherlands to a poet laureate, as well as several shows direct from the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe festivals. It’s what Fringe Festivals are all about – and I feel privileged to be part of it!”


Artist liaison Hannah Clarke says, “I’m super excited to be part of this years NZ Fringe Festival. Having been involved in over 10 Fringe shows in previous years plus venues and events, it’s great to be in the Fringe again and now on the other side. I really can’t wait for February. It’s going to be choice!”


express’ pick of the festival has to be the joyously titled Space Bitches, a newly devised sci-fi comedy.
Years ago, Venus Sparkles lost her powers and the Space Bitches disbanded after a large fight with their enemies. Now, three remaining Space Bitches must regroup as they discover evil, like Edmonds, is sure to god-damn rise.


It was after dealing with earthquakes, and a death in his family that writer Hamish Parkinson wanted to create a piece of funny escapism, a children’s play for adults.


“My goal was to make something fun,” says Hamish. “I want to take the audience on a journey and discuss some bigger issues, but I overall I want the audience to smile and have a sweet time.”

Space Bitches plays at BATS from 28 February to 03 March. Email book@bats.co.nz or phone 04 802 4175 to buy tickets. As for the entire festival, you’ll have to check out www.fringe.co.nz for the full rundown and where to buy tickets. What are 
you waiting for?