Your guide to New Zealand shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023

Do you believe in our survival? Alone is a multi award-winning New Zealand sci-fi drama about feminism, climate change and David Bowie. In the deep reaches of space, two scientists have made a potentially monumental discovery, but will they be able to make it count? Will their faith in science or an almighty allow them to hold the ship together long enough to bring this seed of life back to a dying planet? ‘It’s clear this outfit is well-experienced, well-oiled and professional-grade. Alone is definitely not one to miss!’ (James Ong, TheatreTravels.org).

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Antonio! is a queer punk pirate musical starring Shakespeare’s ultimate love interest. With his band The Fools, Antonio expresses the joys, frustrations, and rebellions of queer love in a world that might not have been quite ready for it. Reframed – and reclaimed – as a hopelessly romantic pirate who can’t help falling in love with the wrong men, Antonio! tells the story of how he inspired Shakespeare to write one of the queerest characters in the canon. An original musical by a team of queer artists from NYC and New Zealand.

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This gender euphoric cabaret is a musical paradise for thems, mens, femmes, and everyone in between. ‘It’s a big, silly party where transness is centred and everyone is welcome’ (Theatreview.org.nz) by artists from NZ and NYC! ‘It feels like hanging out with your friends at a house party. With a band. And rainbow glitter. Everyone’s wearing sequins. You’re inside but you can pretty much guarantee unicorns and bunnies are frolicking around in the garden.’ (Regional News). Nominated for Excellence Awards for Theatre for Social Change and Best Ensemble, Wellington Theatre Awards 2022.

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Join Mr Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! Enjoy bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles and even fire bubbles! Interactive and suitable for all ages, The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, science and bubble art! Actor, storyteller and Guinness World Record holder, The Highland Joker is one of the top bubble artists in the world. He is returning to Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his international award-winning performance! Join us as we journey together through the realms of Bubbleland!

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In this insider’s guide to his eccentric homeland, award-winning Kiwi comedian Sully O’Sullivan answers all the questions about New Zealand you didn’t know to ask in the first place… Why did we almost change our national flag to a drawing of a bird with lasers for eyes? Is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu really the longest place-name in the world? Or did my cat just walk across my keyboard? And where actually is New Zealand? Given we keep getting left off maps. Discover these answers and more in an hour of ‘quintessentially Kiwi comedy’ (NZ Herald).

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Double Goer (the English translation of doppelgänger) is a surreal and physically gruelling new dance work, chronicling the birth, battle and transcendence of two strikingly similar women. Throughout this 50-minute dance, women battle for supremacy through acts of competition, labour, agility and stamina in a terrain of intricately haphazard sculptures. Watch as two powerhouse dancers exert their physical effort, hustle and feminist wile in an effort to decimate each other (and themselves) for your entertainment. This show has been programmed by Dance Base in collaboration with Assembly.

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Hilariously truthful – an unapologetically comic peek into the world of parenting: what comes before, during and after in this rambunctious mix of original songs and sketches from NZ actors ensemble Femme Natale. Breeders and non breeders have loved this show all over – first time at Edinburgh Festival Fringe… don’t miss the best date night or group night out this season and the best contraceptive in town!

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What’s a woman looking for love to do in the 21st century? Hi, I’m Zoë… takes a comedic look at the tragedy of modern dating. Tinder expert Zoë has gone the distance (literally!), traveling the globe and searching for her special man on all the wrong apps. Now she’s ready to teach you her secrets so that you can find success too in this new era of dating. Always a risk-taker, she’ll bring you along on cycling dates, hiking dates, dates with models, and dates filled with laughter at all the wrong moments.

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Fierce, feminist, and f*cking funny. Women are frequently told they are too emotional – too hysterical – to be taken seriously, to be leaders of countries and companies, to be believed when pointing to their own hurt. Hysterical challenges these myths with poetry that confronts body politics, systemic sexism, and weeping uncontrollably in the supermarket. Winner of Best New Aotearoa Play and Outstanding Performance Poetry at Auckland Fringe. Internationally acclaimed poets Carrie Rudzinski and Olivia Hall deliver powerhouse performances that will leave you feeling empowered and alive.

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Returning for another year, God Damn Fancy Man is the critically acclaimed show from internationally award-winning comedian James Nokise. Joyful, daring and undeniably sharp, covering a thrilling whirlwind of topics with skilful ease. Nokise’s exhilarating energy and brand of joyously cathartic stand-up will twist its way into your psyche and leave you delighted. ‘Packed full of paternal wisdom and wit’ **** (Fest). ‘Nokise is a joy to have on stage’ ***** (Scotsman). ‘There can be few more accomplished raconteurs at the Fringe than James Nokise’ ***** (TheWeeReview.com).

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