The Sydney Fringe Festival is back for another year, and looking more ambitious than ever. Taking over Sydney from Monday September 1 – Tuesday September 30, the action is spread out this year across five separate precincts, and covers comedy, film, music, theatre and much more. Can’t decide where to start? We’ve picked out a few hot tips to check out at this year’s Fringe. With Chris Martin and Emily Meller.

[MUSIC]

Ignite

Heat The Streets

The Fringe will kick off in style this year, with a transformation of Crown Street like Sydney’s never seen before. The Ignite event will see shopfronts, bars and venues turned into makeshift musical stages, with performances from over 30 of the nation’s finest: Lime Cordiale, Gang Of Brothers, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Emma Pask, Martha Marlow, Avivaa and many more. From bookstores to record retailers, see Surry Hills ‘Ignite’ with live music.

Where: Crown Street, Surry Hills

When: Sunday August 31

Cost: Free

[OTHER]

Bunkered

We’re no architects, but an exhibition exploring houses of the future? Sign us up. Based in an actual house, actual architects have actually designed living spaces that will deal with the reality of climate change. Whether you think we’re warming or cooling, these are important questions about the future of humanity and how we intend to live in a radically different future landscape.

Where: 26 Ross St, Forest Lodge

When: Saturday September 26 – Saturday September 27

Cost: Free

[THEATRE]

Amanda

Are we born with a certain character, or do the environment and circumstance determine what kind of person we’ll become? Mark Langham’s play looks at this question through the eyes of Amanda (Amylea Griffin), who after being arrested is led through her own complex and identity-forming past. This is Amanda’s second season after its premiere at the Tap Gallery earlier this year.

Where: New Theatre, Newtown

When: Monday September 15 – Sunday September 21

Cost: $25

[COMEDY]

Michael Hing

Much Ado About Not Hing

Not only is he back on home turf, Michael Hing is bringing with him probably the punniest show title at the Sydney Fringe this year. The triple j and SBS personality – and self-described “comedian, socialist, hypocrite” – promises an hour of brand new material that’s sure to get your belly laughing and your jaws hurting.

Where: Factory Theatre, Marrickville

When: Wednesday September 24 – Sunday September 28

Cost: $14

[FILM]

Stop Making Sense

Talking Heads

There are concert films, and there are concert films. This is arguably one of the greatest ever made, and the next best thing to seeing them live (or in 3D holograph). Talking Heads were one of the few bands that managed to have commercial success without compromising their musical integrity. Sadly, a breakdown means there is enough bad blood between members to rule out another tour or album, but this film captures them in their prime. See it on the big screen to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary right.

Where: Golden Age Cinema, Surry Hills

When: Saturday September 27

Cost: $22

[FILM]

I Believe In Unicorns

Straight from the mecca of edgy independent film (SXSW, where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize, no less) to the Sydney Underground Film Festival, showing during the Sydney Fringe, this is an exploration of an awkward teenage girl and her first romance. But before you roll your eyes at yet another manic-pixie-girl-style romance, know that reviews have compared director Leah Meyerhoff’s style to Sofia Coppola’s evil-er twin. There is plenty of dreamy gazing, but also a constant undercurrent of violence threatening to boil over.

Where: Factory Theatre, Marrickville

When: Saturday 6 Sept (with Q&A), 6pm; Sunday 7 Sept, 3pm.

Cost: $14

[COMEDY]

Carlo Ritchie

One Man Yarns

Picture this: a guy onstage with one hour to fill and no written material. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow one half of improvisation group The Bear Pack (with Steen Raskopoulos), Carlo Ritchie,manages to spin empty air into comedy gold. The audience provides two words and the journey begins – expect subplots, twists and up to a dozen different characters. The best/worst part? You’ll never be able to see the same show twice.

Where: Factory Theatre, Marrickville

When: Thursday September 25 – Sunday September 28

Cost: $15

[THEATRE]

The Bookbinder

It’s easy to get lost in a good book. But what about when the world in those pretty pages starts to get a little twisted? What if you literally couldn’t put it down? New Zealand theatre company Trick Of the Light presents Ralph McCubbin Howell in a story that feels like getting lost in the pages of a long, fantasy-driven book. We are drawn into a world of dusty covers and a rusty phonograph to hear tales from The Bookbinder. It has won a host of awards, including Best Theatre and Best of the Fringe at the 2014 NZ Fringe Awards. Far more importantly, it also features paper puppets.

Where: Better Read Than Dead, Newtown

When: Thursday September 11 – Saturday September 13

Cost: $20

The full Sydney Fringe Festival lineup and tickets are available through their website.

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