Chelsea Zeller
Actor, theatre maker, comedian
High Achievers
21 – 26 September
Errol’s and Co
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| Chelsea Zeller. Photo by James Penlidis |
If you could invite anyone to your show (and you knew they would come), who would it be?
Tony Robbins. Give me feedback please, Tony. Am I doing it right? Also the Kates from The Katering Show. Let’s hang out after.
The Melbourne Fringe in three words.
A delicious smorgasbord.
A favourite Melbourne Fringe memory.
One year at Fringe I caught a Polyglot Theatre show at Northcote Town Hall during the day and it was one of the most magical experiences I’d ever been part of. It was for children and adults alike and it made me want to take advantage of Fringe all over Melbourne at all times of the day, not just late in the evening in North Melbourne ending the night a few pints down at the Town Hall with a seven11 sandwich. Although that’s fun too.
What is your experience as an independent artist being part of the Melbourne Fringe?
I see Melbourne Fringe as an important platform for risk taking and a testing ground for new material. This is my second year performing at the fringe and while it’s a lot of hard work to self-produce, it’s always a fun learning curve. Plus, you’re surrounded by so many other creative individuals doing the same thing that you are, who are all in different stages of their careers, and that creates a nice sense of community.
What makes the Melbourne Fringe unique.
Melbourne Fringe champions genuine fringe artists, not just established performers. It gives emerging artists an equal opportunity to showcase their work and start laying the groundwork to extend their show’s life after Fringe. This is the festival to try new things, meet new people, see work from artists you may not have heard of, and to throw things at the wall and see if they stick.
What’s your advice for choosing what to see in the Melbourne Fringe?
Risk it on a newbie or someone you’ve never heard of. The greatest artists and performers have to start somewhere, and you may just be there to witness their birth … metaphorically speaking.
Do you think there’s a better system than star ratings for reviews?
Stars are vague. They look great if we get enough of them, but are redundant if we don’t. It’s subjective either way, but I think it would be a lot more fun and honest for reviewers to give three buzzwords that sum up the show. Like “sexy”, “cool”, “disturbing”. (Can that please be my next review?)
Five shows/events that you will not miss at the 2017 Melbourne Fringe.
How To Kill The Queen Of Pop
The Birth of the Unicorn Mermaid
Fringe Wives Club: Glittery Clittery, a conSENSUAL party
The Travelling Sisters: NOO SHO
PO PO MO CO: Recreation & Leisure
