‘‘With this being our 20th birthday we wanted to bring back more of a street component,’’ event director Gareth McMillan said.
‘‘We have partnered with the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council.
‘‘We have a lot of recent arrivals in our city and many come from places which don’t have fringe festivals and it probably doesn’t mean anything to them.
‘‘This will be a lovely introduction for them, and a way for them to know that this is a place where culture can be created and celebrated.’’
‘‘Fringe In The Octagon’’ is one of 75 acts, events, exhibitions and performances scheduled across Dunedin from March 19 to 29.
Venues include Dunedin Railway Station, which hosts theatre work Thursday, based on the classic film Brief Encounter, the Otago Correctional Facility, which for the second time hosts a fringe production created by prisoners, and a ‘‘mystery venue’’, which will be revealed after you buy a ticket for theatre show Nothing.
International performers include British comedian Simon Cain and US theatrical production Butcher Holler Here We Come.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins, former chairman of event organising body the Fringe Arts Trust, launched the programme with a recommendation.
‘‘I would encourage everyone to go to at least one show each year that scares you ...
‘‘It doesn’t always pay off, but it’s well worth a shot.’’
