Sydney Fringe Director Patrick Kennedy Picks 11 Unmissable Shows for 2026
Patrick Kennedy, the Artistic Director of the Sydney Fringe Festival, has chosen 11 performances that embody the essence of the 2026 festival, featuring a mix of avant-garde anti-theatre and heartfelt drama. Among the standout selections are Claire Robin's 'Nun Slut', which is making a comeback after an international tour, and a new piece from the all-female group Frumpus. Luke Casserly's sensory experience 'Distillation' will be showcased at Vaucluse House. Additional highlights include the political satire 'Cold War 2.0' by Doppelgängster, Sophie Davis's 'Forget Me, Please' at Old Fitz Theatre, Head First Acrobats' 'Return of the Godz', and the immersive dance performance 'Overture' at Eternity Playhouse. Kennedy invites attendees to explore lesser-known shows, emphasizing the convenience of nearby venues. The festival is scheduled from 1 to 30 September at various locations throughout Sydney.
Key facts
- Sydney Fringe Festival runs 1–30 September 2026.
- Artistic Director Patrick Kennedy selected 11 unmissable shows.
- Claire Robin's 'Nun Slut' returns after an international tour.
- Frumpus, an all-female collective from the 1990s/2000s, presents a new work.
- Luke Casserly's 'Distillation' is a multi-sensory scent experience at Vaucluse House.
- Doppelgängster's 'Cold War 2.0' is a political satire.
- Sophie Davis's 'Forget Me, Please' is presented in partnership with Old Fitz Theatre.
- Head First Acrobats' 'Return of the Godz' is a circus spectacle.
- 'Overture' is an immersive dance work at Eternity Playhouse.
- Motion Sickness by a2 is a climate crisis rave physical theatre.
- Caitlin Duff's 'Freidah Will See You Now' is a clown show at Qtopia.
- Yoz Mensch's 'My Grandpa Doesn’t Follow Me on Instagram' won the Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award.
- Isabel Knight's 'Black Widow: Sex, Bugs & A High Death Toll' is a musical cabaret.
- Kennedy encourages taking chances on unknown shows.
- Many festival venues are within walking distance (e.g., PACT and New Theatre).
Entities
Artists
- Patrick Kennedy
- Claire Robin
- Luke Casserly
- Doppelgängster
- Sophie Davis
- Kala Gare
- Shannen Alyce Quan
- Head First Acrobats
- Caitlin Duff
- Yoz Mensch
- Isabel Knight
- Frumpus
- a2
Institutions
- Sydney Fringe Festival
- ArtsHub
- Museums of History NSW
- Old Fitz Theatre
- PACT
- New Theatre
- Eternity Playhouse
- Qtopia
- Vaucluse House
- La Mama Theatre
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Adelaide Fringe
- Entertainment Quarter
- Fringe on The Rocks
- ScreenHub
Locations
- Sydney
- Australia
- Melbourne
- Naarm
- London
- West End
- The Rocks
- Darlinghurst
- Vaucluse House
- Entertainment Quarter
- New Theatre
- Old Fitz Theatre
- PACT
- Eternity Playhouse
- Qtopia