Few inspirational showbiz stories begin with a phone call to a real estate agent, but this is one of them.
It’s 2020. Tom Oliver, a singer, actor and presenter with international credits, is out of work and kipping at his parents’ home in Wynnum.
COVID has hit the performing arts like a tonne of bricks, and Oliver thinks he might be able to help himself and his colleagues by launching some kind of modest local arts festival.
Tom Oliver thought up the Wynnum Fringe while bunkered down at his parents’ home in Wynnum during COVID.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
Casting his mind back to when his family moved to Wynnum from Melbourne, he recalls Margaret Vote, who sold his parents their house and went the extra mile to make the newcomers feel welcome.
“She was more community-minded than your stereotypical real estate agent,” Oliver says.
“I called her and told her the idea and she was like, ‘I’m in, how much do you need?’”
With just one phone call, Oliver’s vague Wynnum Fringe notion suddenly had $60,000 in sponsorship.
He had to form a company within three days.
“And when we applied for government funding, they were really impressed that the local businesses were already supporting it.”
A few years later, the fourth Wynnum Fringe, taking place over 19 days from November 15, is the biggest yet. But Vote, the principal of Raine & Horne Wynnum Manly, laughs at the suggestion she is somehow responsible for getting the event off the ground.
“Tom had such an excitement, I could just feel that this was something that had to happen,” she says.
“I said to him, ‘This is so important to the fabric of our community and indeed Brisbane.’”
Singer Marcia Hines, who is returning to perform in her second Wynnum Fringe, agrees the event’s success is all down to its founder.
“I don’t think of many people as being effervescent and Tom is someone who’s really effervescent. He’s not only a fine singer, he’s a clever entrepreneur,” Hines says.
Marcia Hines is performing a disco set at Wynnum Fringe’s Rock the Bay concert.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
Hines and Daryl Braithwaite will headline the Wynnum Fringe closing-day festival Rock the Bay.
Diesel, Robert Forster, Rai Thistlethwayte, Sarah McLeod and Chocolate Starfish are among the music acts playing headline shows.
Well-known stand-ups Geraldine Hickey, Dave Thornton, Wil Anderson, Tom Ballard and Jimeoin are also appearing.
As with any good fringe festival, there’s a strong contingent of risque material such as Godz (a nude tribute to the gods of Olympus), The Stripsons (a burlesque parody of The Simpsons), and the Adults Only Magic Show.
One of this year’s biggest coups is securing musical theatre star Rhonda Burchmore to host a late-night adults-only variety show in the Spiegeltent, Rhonda’s After Party, which patrons will have the option to watch naked.
“We’re going to drape off one of the booths in the Spiegeltent for people who want to take their clothes off,” Oliver says.
Last year’s Wynnum Fringe paid out $2.5 million to artists and entertained more than 70,000 people – stats the event is on track to surpass.
“What makes Wynnum the perfect location for a fringe festival is that it has a community that’s really proud of it,” says Oliver. “And I think the rest of Brisbane also loves visiting it.”
Tom Oliver’s 10 picks of Wynnum Fringe 2023
Rhonda’s After Party
Rhonda’s After Party brings together performers including “Bath Boy” Stephen Williams, Lilikoi Kaos and Pricasso.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
Rhonda Burchmore hosts a late-night variety show in the Spiegeltent. “Rhonda has this rude, adults-only part of her personality that she doesn’t get to share much because she’s well known for being Australian theatre royalty,” Oliver says.
Bank of Queensland Wonderland Spiegeltent, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 29-Dec 2, 8.45pm, $45-$79. Buy tickets.
Rock the Bay
The closing day concert will take place across the whole Wynnum Fringe Garden. “We’ve got Braithwaite, Hines, the Bamboos – which I think are the secret weapon of this whole day – and Hope D, who is a great local artist,” Oliver says. “Loretta Ryan from ABC and myself are co-hosting.”
Rock the Bay Stage, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Dec 3, 1pm, $110-$220. Buy tickets.
Bluey & Bingo Live Interactive Experience
Bluey and Bingo are appearing at Wynnum Fringe on Saturday, November 25. Credit: Wynnum Fringe
The Heeler girls will meet and greet their fans in a half-hour performance that is free but ticketed. “Mini Fringe is our festival for young people within Wynnum Fringe taking place on Saturdays and Sundays. Bluey and Bingo will be here on the second Saturday but we’ve also got PreHysterical circus, Party Pooper, and The Greatest Magic Show.”
Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 25, 10.45am, 11.45am, 3pm and 4pm, free. Reserve tickets.
Tania Doko Live and in Conversation
The lead singer of Bachelor Girl performs with a three-piece band and tells stories from her life as a performer and songwriter. “Tania’s written songs for Tina Arena and Sheppard and all these groups, and this is the first time she’s told her own story in Brisbane.”
Raine & Horne Wynnum Opera House, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 24, 5.15pm, $40. Buy tickets.
Robert Forster
Robert Forster of the Go-Betweens fame is making an exclusive Brisbane appearance at Wynnum Fringe.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
The suave co-founder of the Go-Betweens performs much-loved songs from the band’s back catalogue as well as from solo albums including this year’s The Candle and the Flame. “This will be his only Brisbane show in 2023, so we’re honoured to have Robert.”
Raine & Horne Wynnum Opera House, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 16, 5.15pm, $50-$59. Buy tickets.
Wil Anderson: Whatchu Talkin’ Bout Wil?
Anderson’s latest show is an entirely improvised 70 minutes of comedy taking on the ills (and Wils) of the world. “Not that Wil Anderson needs any help to sell tickets! But he’s a very intelligent comedian and one of our headliners, along with Jimeoin.”
Raine & Horne Wynnum Opera House, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 18, 8.30pm, $49.90. Buy tickets.
Chocolate Starfish: Bat Out of Hell
Chocolate Starfish are specialising in blistering live performances of classic albums by other artists.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
Chocolate Starfish have rebooted their career touring classic albums by other artists. “Adam, the lead singer, sings Meat Loaf better than Meat Loaf ever has. This is the only chance for Brisbane audiences to see this really good band play Bat Out of Hell from start to finish.”
Raine & Horne Wynnum Opera House, Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 18, 3.15pm, $99. Buy tickets.
Yana Marumba Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony for Wynnum Fringe is a tribute to the 25,000-year history of Wynnum. “Yana Marumba means ‘walk good’ in Jundai language and we partner with the local Quandamooka community to do a non-divisive, very inclusive walk.”
Pandanus Beach, Nov 17, 4.30pm, free.
Speed: The Movie, The Play
Audience members take their seats on a vintage bus to witness this adaptation of a 1990s action film.Credit: Wynnum Fringe
The slightly absurd 1994 Keanu Reeves-Sandra Bullock movie Speed, in which a bomb on a bus will activate if the bus goes below 80km/h, is recreated as a live dramatic presentation. “It’s played at lots of festivals around the world and they’re bringing in a bus to do a comedic re-enactment.”
Wynnum Fringe Garden, Nov 17-Dec 2 (Fri-Sat), various times. Buy tickets.
Bay Pride
This family-friendly day will include a Pride March, markets, queer-themed performances and an after party. “Brisbane’s Bayside has never had a pride event and we’re presenting the first one. We’ve got cast members from the first RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and lots of LGBTQIA+ performances in our venues on that day.”
Around Wynnum, Nov 26. Find out more.