The festival that shed its perception as ‘carnivalesque’ and ‘weird’
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The festival that shed its perception as ‘carnivalesque’ and ‘weird’

Sydney Fringe contributed more than $36 million to the local economy in 2022,according to a new report. And organisers are expanding what they do for artists and audiences in 2023.

  • byHannah Story

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Kiwi comedian wins $1500 top prize at the Sydney Comedy Festival

Kiwi comedian wins $1500 top prize at the Sydney Comedy Festival

Guy Montgomery,a frequent guest on Have You Been Paying Attention?,has won Best of the Fest as the event celebrates its biggest year since before the pandemic.

  • byHannah Story
‘I owe you one’:Hannah Gadsby feels chipper in Something Special

‘I owe you one’:Hannah Gadsby feels chipper in Something Special

Juggling a new memoir,curating an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum and making a genderqueer comedy special,the comic thinks it’s time for a feelgood show.

  • byLenny Ann Low
Jukebox Tina Turner musical lucky it has great songs

Jukebox Tina Turner musical lucky it has great songs

We wrap up the weekend’s reviews,including comedian Nikki Britton,the Tina Turner musical,and the plays,Suddenly Last Summer,Girl Band and Pony.

  • byJoyce Morgan,John Shand,Daniel Herborn andCassie Tongue
Comedian Kirsty Webeck’s stories are low stakes but impossible to dislike

Comedian Kirsty Webeck’s stories are low stakes but impossible to dislike

A wrap of our favourite shows from the week,including immersive experience Darkfield,Clyde’s at Ensemble Theatre,and comedian Kirsty Webeck.

  • byLenny Ann Low,John Shand andDaniel Herborn
Fatboy Slim reminded us how invigorating old school raves can be

Fatboy Slim reminded us how invigorating old school raves can be

Our favourite shows from the weekend include electro pioneer Fatboy Slim,comedian Michael Hing,the Australian Ballet’s Jewels and Guts Dance’s Sydney debut.

  • byDaniel Herborn,Michael Ruffles andChantal Nguyen
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The drug dealer turned stand-up comic who’s now high on laughter

The drug dealer turned stand-up comic who’s now high on laughter

Drug dealer turned comedian Andrew Hamilton tours his MICF Best Newcomer-nominated show to the Sydney Comedy Festival.

  • byDaniel Herborn
Old-fashioned comic alter ego is a dazzlingly original creation

Old-fashioned comic alter ego is a dazzlingly original creation

Our wrap of the week’s best live shows - from dance to classical music to comedy,including the London Symphony Orchestra,the Australian Ballet and Troy Hawke.

  • byPeter McCallum,Chantal Nguyen andDaniel Herborn
The Hong Kong comedian whose Australian shows are selling out a month in advance

The Hong Kong comedian whose Australian shows are selling out a month in advance

Chan Lok Tim takes on everything from his don’t-talk-too-much upbringing to an (accidentally) cannabis-fuelled work Zoom.

  • byElizabeth Flux
This comedian returns to Australia with a rousing,deeply funny show

This comedian returns to Australia with a rousing,deeply funny show

We wrap up the best live shows from the end of the week,including comedian Josie Long,pop star Ruel,rapper Denzel Curry and opera singer Ferruccio Furlanetto.

  • byAngus Thomson,Peter McCallum,Millie Muroi andDaniel Herborn
‘We have not cancelled Barry Humphries’:Comedy festival rules out renaming award

‘We have not cancelled Barry Humphries’:Comedy festival rules out renaming award

Director Susan Provan has defended the festival’s decision not to pay an official tribute to the late comedian,but insists he has not been “snubbed”.

  • byKarl Quinn