From drag musicals and horny Greek gods to asexuality, masculinity and sapphic obsession, you won’t want to miss these queer shows at Sydney Fringe; they’re definitely worth checking out.
Sydney Fringe Festival is taking over the city with more than 350 events across 64 venues throughout September and October.
And among the comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and experimental performances is a deliciously queer selection of shows.
Here are some of our LGBTQIA+ faves to add to your Fringe itinerary.
Decadunce
Canadian comedy queen Marshall Lorenzo brings Decadunce to Qtopia from 15–19 September.
The show is the third instalment in Lorenzo’s award-nominated Baby Gorgeous sketch comedy trilogy, following Baby Gorgeous and Build Ups.
This time, Lorenzo takes aim at fraud, excess, capitalism and the cost of living, with a collection of chaotic characters and biting comedy.
A graduate of the Second City Conservatory, Lorenzo won a Canadian Comedy Award for Extravaganza Eleganza, the first fully queer show staged at a Second City venue.
Return of the GODZ
Greek mythology gets a makeover in Return of the GODZ, an adults-only circus spectacular featuring five ripped male performers.
Fresh from a sold-out West End season, the show combines acrobatics, comedy, aerials, fire and cheeky audience interaction.
The performers include former Cirque du Soleil alumni and teachers from the National Institute of Circus Arts.
It’s not a strip show. It’s elite circus performed by very funny men who happen to wear very little clothing.
Return of the GODZ runs until October 11 at Fools Paradise. Get your tickets here.
I’m a lesbian but I really love men
The title pretty much tells you where this one is heading.
Melody Rachel’s semi-autobiographical comedy explores her obsession with men, identity and the sometimes irrational thoughts that occupy our brains.
Rachel is a performer and producer whose work explores identity, human nature and anxious thought patterns, often incorporating movement, projection and audience participation.
Expect a personal and playful exploration of a particularly confusing topic.
I’m a lesbian but I really like men runs from September 8 to 12 at the Erskineville Town Hall. Get your tickets here.
Pretty Ugly
Theo’s relationship with their own appearance takes centre stage in Pretty Ugly.
Blending cabaret, storytelling and musical theatre, the solo show explores family history, military service in Singapore, immigration and the question of why we’re so invested in whether we’re attractive.
Theo reinterprets familiar musical theatre songs through a queer lens while reflecting on adolescence and life as an immigrant in the UK.
There are laughs, big feelings and plenty of inner demons to unpack.
Pretty Ugly runs until September 5 (yes, the last show is TODAY) at Qtopia Sydney. Get your tickets here.
Get (your fish) Living or Die Trying (to save your fish)
Marina and Snowball are inseparable, but when Snowball faces mortality, Marina becomes determined to keep her beloved fish alive.
A story involving espionage, puppets, niche dance subcultures, bike lanes and a little magic.
Beneath the absurdity is a story about friendship, attachment and the strange ways we cope with the possibility of loss.
Get (your fish) Living or Die Trying (to save your fish) runs from September 17 to 19 at the Inner West Pride Centre. Get your tickets here.
Zeibekiko
Trans performer Theo Carroll explores masculinity, gender and Greek heritage in Zeibekiko.
Inspired by the traditional Greek Zeibekiko dance, historically associated with masculinity, Carroll examines what it means to inherit expectations about being a “real man”.
The solo performance moves through stories of gender, violence, family, a female etiquette camp and memories of Carroll’s Papou.
It’s an intimate exploration of identity, inheritance and the ongoing process of finding a way to inhabit your own body.
Zeibekiko runs from September 22 to 26 at the Erskineville Town Hall. Get your tickets here.
Off Leash
Local government gets the drag treatment in Off Leash, a musical comedy about one very controversial dog park.
New council employee Isabella is thrown into a community consultation where residents, activists, dog owners and bureaucrats all have very strong opinions.
With original songs, drag, satire and plenty of barking, the show takes aim at council politics and the impossible task of keeping everyone happy.
It’s drag meets Parks & Recreation, with a lot more dogs.
Don’t miss Off Leash for one night only on September 6 at the Factory Theatre. Get your tickets here.
Perfectly Queer
Boy Latte’s Perfectly Queer explores what it’s like to be asexual in an extremely sexual world.
Drawing from Boy Latte’s own experiences, the performance tackles misconceptions, failed coming-out attempts and the experience of being a straight-passing queer person.
Boy Latte will also answer all the questions about asexuality you’ve been dying to know.
It promises laughs, learning and a look at sexuality from a different perspective.
Catch Perfectly Queer September 5 to 6 at The Factory Theatre. Get your tickets here.
God’s Mistake
Georgia Drewe’s God’s Mistake asks the question: how does someone go from nun-in-training to professional dominatrix?
This one-woman burlesque and comedy show explores sex work, feminism and religion through a decidedly irreverent lens.
Expect comedy, burlesque and enough religious imagery to make the rosary beads nervous.
God’s Mistake runs from September 22 to 26 at QTopia Sydney. Get your tickets here.
Black Widow
Black Widow: Sex, Bugs & A High Death Toll is a sensual musical cabaret centred on the legendary femme fatale of the spider world.
Queen Cannibal, the mother of all spiders, takes audiences through a world of grief, seduction, murder and getting back on the hunt.
With familiar songs given a spidery twist, this is one web you might actually want to get caught in.
Black Widow runs from September 22 to 26 at Qtopia Sydney. Get your tickets here.
Sydney Fringe is getting very queer
From queer comedy and drag to gender, sexuality, identity and some extremely committed fish ownership, Sydney Fringe has plenty for LGBTQIA+ audiences to explore.
The festival runs across September and October, with events throughout Sydney. For the full program and tickets, visit Sydney Fringe Festival.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
