First Northern Fringe tickets on sale now!
Date published: 10 May 2019
The first tickets for the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) and the Northern Fringe Festival are on sale now for the Wonderland Spiegeltent.
The beautiful Wonderland Spiegeltent – a 1930’s wooden travelling circus tent – is bringing four internationally and nationally acclaimed shows to Townsville.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the Wonderland Spiegeltent is a world-class attraction that is a must-visit for the North Australian Festival of Arts.
“We had two spiegeltents in Queens Gardens as part of Festival 2018 and they were a big hit and this year we will have the Wonderland Spiegeltent at Strand Park,” Cr Hill said.
“Townsville is the premier arts and culture destination in North Australia and it’s fantastic to have a world-class venue like the Wonderland Spiegeltent here.
“There is an incredible line-up of performances scheduled for both NAFA and the Northern Fringe and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life in Townsville.”
Confirmed shows for the Wonderland Spiegeltent include Circus Wonderland – A Mermaids Tale, Bernie Dieter’s Little Death Club, Rogue the Show, and Akmal Saleh.
Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said the quality of shows performing in the Wonderland Spiegeltent is incredible.
“For NAFA and the Northern Fringe Festival we really wanted shows that will appeal to audiences of all ages,” Cr Doyle said.
“The line-up of shows for the Wonderland Spiegeltent ranges from family-friendly, to the risqué or just side-splitting laughter inducing.
“I really encourage everyone to buy their tickets early because these are not performances you want to miss out on.”
Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said Strand Park is a great location to house the Wonderland Spiegeltent.
“This year we have decided to put a spiegeltent at Strand Park – the coast will be a beautiful backdrop for such an amazing venue,” Cr Greaney said.
“Queens Gardens will still play a role in NAFA and the Northern Fringe, hosting its own big top – the May Wirth – with shows that will be announced in the near future.”
For more information, or to buy tickets, visit: https://www.wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au/townsville-1
For the families ‘CIRCUS WONDERLAND – A MERMAID’S TALE’ (JULY 4 TO 14) brings a fantasy world of spectacle and imagination. Set against a vintage circus backdrop, this show will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Be astounded and amazed of the sideshow antics of the Contortionist, the Mermaid Gypsy and a mesmerizing cast of acrobats who deliver a thrilling and hilarious circus spectacular
And for the truly risqué, join us for the internationally acclaimed ‘BERNIE DIETER’S LITTLE DEATH CLUB’ (JULY 4 TO 14). Returning to Australia on the back of a 10-week London season, Little Death Club, hosted by Bernie Dieter – love child of Lady Gaga, Marlene Dietrich and Noel Fielding in studded stilettos – introduces the audience to her dysfunctional family of misfits, miscreants and fantastic freaks with a darkly humorous voyage into the gin-fuelled haze of classic kabarett with a thoroughly modern twist. This is burlesque at its most inappropriate and hilarious best.
★★★★★ “A feast of feathers, nudity and side-splitting comedy” GlamAdelaide
★★★★★ “Improper, seductive and hilarious” This is Radelaide
★★★★★"Wickedly funny, deliciously defiant punk cabaret" Fest, UK.
★★★★★"Dusky, dangerous, outrageously naughty" The Times, UK.
For the adults, immerse yourself in ultimate decadence with ‘ROUGE RETURNS’ (19 TO 28 JULY), an intoxicating blend of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret and tongue-in-cheek burlesque. Set in a 1930s Parisian bar, this show is a nonstop celebration of the astonishing, the surprising and the downright sexy.
And to tickle your funny bone, ARIA-nominated comedian AKMAL SALEH will be performing on July 5. One of Australia’s most respected, successful and accomplished comics, Akmal displays an incredible ability to deal with hot topics in a hilarious and slightly offensive way. His new show is no exception. Paramedics will be on call to transport audience members to hospital as their sides split from laughter.
