Melbourne Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Games Week are both renowned for offering a dazzling array of events, and this October is no exception with a sensational co-program.
From interactive exhibitions to laugh-out-loud comedy shows, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a taste of what you can experience in October.
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
This World of Mine
- An interactive exploration of the mind
- Dates: 1 Oct – 20 Oct
- Time: Available On Demand (20 minutes)
- Venue: Digital Fringe
- Tickets: $10
This World of Mine, created by Maxine, a self-described non-gamer, takes players on an introspective journey through two worlds – reality and the inner workings of the mind. A simple yet compelling video game experience, this piece offers a meditation on how easily we can become overwhelmed by our thoughts and how, with patience, both worlds can reveal beauty. Maxine, who discovered her passion for game design during lockdown, invites audiences to explore a world she’s been mentally crafting for years.
Body of Knowledge
- A powerful meditation on age and change
- Dates: 5 Oct – 10 Oct
- Time: 7:30pm, 6:30pm (90 minutes)
- Venue: Bowery Theatre
- Tickets: $25
Performed by teenagers calling in on mobile phones, Body of Knowledge dives into themes of growth, sexuality, and intergenerational conversations. As the teenagers share real-time reflections from their bedrooms, audiences are invited to rethink how knowledge is shared and produced. This unique work brings together performance, audience interaction, and real-life musings, creating an intimate and thought-provoking experience.
Dating Roulette
- An improvised dating game show
- Dates: 2 Oct – 11 Oct
- Time: 9:30pm, 8:30pm (55 minutes)
- Venue: Theory Bar
- Tickets: $18.75 – $25
Comedian Olga Loitsenko tackles the modern dating scene with her signature wit in Dating Roulette. Featuring improvised performances and real-life dating nightmares, Olga, joined by a team of guest comedians and improvisers, unpacks her own dating history and gives the audience a chance to rewrite their own. If you’ve ever had a dating disaster or just want to laugh at someone else’s, this show is for you.
MAFIA The Game: The Show
- A comedic whodunnit in real-time
- Dates: 4 Oct – 18 Oct
- Time: 10:30pm, 3:30pm (60 minutes)
- Venue: Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Solidarity Hall
- Tickets: $29
The Mafia has taken over town, and it’s up to a team of comedians to figure out who the culprits are before they get picked off themselves. Inspired by the hit role-playing game Mafia, MAFIA The Game: The Show invites audiences into a hilarious whodunnit where comedians battle wits, lies, and betrayals to solve the mystery. With a mix of strategic gameplay and improv comedy, this live show promises a night filled with surprises and laughter.
The Book of Divergence
- An interactive DJ adventure
- Dates: 10 Oct
- Time: 9:00pm (60 minutes)
- Venue: Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Common Rooms
- Tickets: $25
For fans of dance music and Dungeons & Dragons, The Book of Divergence offers an immersive experience unlike any other. DJs Father Mathew and Brother Seth lead the audience on a musical journey through order and chaos, with audience choices affecting not only the story but the very music played. Featuring live mixed music and interactive storytelling, this show is an unpredictable blend of rave culture and narrative adventure.
Comedy On The Rocks
- A theatre drinking game
- Dates: 12 Oct – 20 Oct
- Time: 3:30pm (2 hours)
- Venue: The Motley Bauhaus – Theatrette
- Tickets: $36
Get ready for an afternoon of belly laughs and beverages with Comedy On The Rocks. This unique theatre experience combines short comedy plays with an interactive drinking game. Every time the actors hit one of the play’s special moments (like saying, “What the hell have you done?!”), the audience is invited to raise a glass and shout, “Cheers!” Perfect for those who want to enjoy live comedy while having a few drinks with friends.
RAIN: An Interactive Exhibition
- An intimate, interactive experience for families
- Dates: 3 Oct – 20 Oct (Thurs-Sun)
- Time: 10am
- Venue: ArtPlay, City of Melbourne
- Tickets: Free
Designed for children aged 0-5 and their adults, RAIN is an interactive exhibition that encourages playful exploration and quiet reflection. Set in the gallery at ArtPlay, families can explore puddles, felt pieces, and dynamic weather patterns in this gentle, immersive experience. Created by Zoë Barry, Liz Francis, Nikita Hederics, and Sarah Lockwood, RAIN offers a calm and soothing space to connect with both art and family.
Check out the full Fringe program here and Games Week program here.
