The Producers: A taste of things to come

There’s a buzz in the air amidst the paper lanterns and fairy lights in the beer-garden of The Producers for the venue preview party: the hum of unbridled potential, volatile and heady. The courtyard teems with artists, media and assorted folks-about-town – everyone getting amped by the possibilities that the start of the festival season holds.

The space is decked out eclectically: a hodgepodge of op-shop-found furniture and (probably ironic) wicker glass-topped bar tables. Photographers shoot their socials while acrobats walk through the crowd on their hands. Indeed yes, Fringe time is upon us again.

A figurative swag of shows crowded the evening’s line-up, covering off on the Fringe cardinal points of Comedy, Cabaret, Circus and Theatre – not to mention the hilarious Wtf Renaissance exhibit adorning walls. There was no time to get to them all, so do was made.

The juggling ball was set rolling in the cavernous Warehouse space, with Point and Flex Circus’ 3 Steps Ahead. Players, Marina and Taylor, moulded a cheeky world of child-like one-upmanship in their competitive physical theatre offering. The family friendly romp of WarioWare brought to life displayed some reasonably impressive acrobatics/contortion/sideshow action and was held together well by the central play-off premise.

Upstairs, The Producers unveiled their Nook and Cranny spaces, set to host some excellent comedic talent throughout the Fringe. The intimate spaces began sizzling with Elf Lyon’s Being Barbarella: the UK comic defying some heinous jet lag to offer a giddily energetic set, filled with anecdotes about sex, gender, comic books, hummus and animal facts. A few costume changes rounded off an uproarious show full of charm and wit.

The night rollicked on with the cabaret comedy of Geraldine Quinn, some local theatre with Elvis Hates Me and a smattering of upstairs stand-ups. Undoubtedly the Old Exchange has seen better days: the ageing structure, a bohemian echo of a once stately establishment, but the kids have taken over and they’re doing a mighty fine job of creating a characterful set of spaces to bring some new art to the world. Be sure to get along during the Fringe for a pile of unique and up-and-coming entertainment.