Fringe welcomes new faces to Hall of Fame

Fringe welcomes new faces to Hall of Fame

The New Zealand Fringe Festival has capped off one of its most challenging years by welcoming a new entry into its Hall of Fame.

Long-time supporters of Fringe, Creature design company (www.creature.co.nz), joins such luminaries as Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement and Bats Theatre in being inducted into the New Zealand Fringe Hall of Fame.

"The Fringe Hall of Fame recognises those who have made outstanding contributions to the New Zealand Fringe over the years. New inductees are decided on by the Fringe Arts Trust Board.

“The team at Creature has supported Fringe for eight years; providing invaluable design expertise and talent that represents the best in the business. We’re very grateful for their genius, their flair and their contribution,” says Fringe Arts Trust chair Miranda Clayton.

Creature was officially inducted at a Fringe wrap party this evening (March 6). Special mention was made of co-founders Tim Fraser and Janelle Rodrigues, and director Brooke Ashton-Taylor.

Ms Clayton says this Fringe festival, which finished on Saturday March 5, has had to contend with challenges such as limited sponsorship but has been a resounding success. More than 50 theatre, comedy, music, dance and visual art gigs were staged at about 20 different venues, ranging from shipping containers to Somes Island. Many of the events were sold out in advance and received critical acclaim.

Extra events were organised at the last minute to support those in Christchurch, such as a benefit concert held on Friday, 25th, while dozens of performers donated proceeds to the Christchurch relief fund.

“It was great to see performers using Fringe to raise money for Christchurch and to see Wellingtonians come out in force to support the cause. It was organised very quickly, with performers getting together the night of earthquake to make things happen. This response reflects the community-minded spirit of Fringe and I’m very proud of the participants and appreciative of the audiences,” says Ms Clayton.

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