Fringe World 2025 hits Perth with a cavalcade of acts including award-winning drag troupe Messy Friends

Award-winning Perth drag collective Messy Friends is on the eve of embarking on a huge tour of Australia and New Zealand, and it all kicks off at Fringe World 2025. The 2013-founded troupe joins the cavalcade of this year’s Fringe World acts featuring a program of more than 550 shows across comedy, music, circus, cabaret, theatre and dance from January 17 to February 16. In true Messy Friends panache — fusing lip-sync, burlesque, dance and documentary-style videos to create a unique “drag-u-mentary” experience — they are doubling the joyous creative chaos with additional new glitter-fuelled show, Messy Friends: Party Favours. Genderness Productions creative director Ginava, who has worked with Peaches, Roisin Murphy and Boy George, said Messy Friends: Party Favours drew inspiration from the kind of house parties they loved to attend and throw. “House parties are such a unique environment, places where hierarchy and social status completely disappear,” Ginava said. “You never know who’s going to show up, but there’s an unspoken understanding that everyone is there for the same reason — to have fun, no matter who they are. “We’ve poured hundreds of hours into rehearsing slick, fresh choreography and creating one-of-a-kind costumes. For those familiar with my monster characters, get ready to meet some brand-new, equally outrageous friends. “This feels like an entirely new chapter for Messy Friends and Gendermess Productions. It’s a show that speaks to any generation wanting to relive their house party memories… it’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun.” Fresh from a season at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, Messy Friends co-producer and cast member Flynn V said taking the drag collective to the other side of the world had been incredible and premiering Messy Friends: Party Favours at Fringe World 2025 was beyond exciting. “This is unlike anything we’ve done before, and we’re thrilled to showcase world-class local talent in the heart of the Fringe World festival,” Flynn V said. “It’s truly a dream come true, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to join the party.” Messy Friends is at The Rechabite, January 30 to February 2. Messy Friends: Party Favours is at Lotterywest De Parel Spiegeltent, February 12 to 16.