Actor, theatre maker, drag performer
How To Kill The Queen Of Pop
15–30 September
Fringe Hub, Studio 1
PLUS
Rainbow Paradiso, Curated by Hotel Now
1 October
ArtPlay
SM: Ask Tom about the first time I saw (felt) him perform.
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| How to Kill the Queen of Pop. Tom Halls, centre |
If you could invite anyone to your show (and you knew they would come), who would it be?
Vanessa Amorosi. We are actually canvassing her social media to get her along to see the show. She features as our best friend/arch nemesis. (A close second and third is Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John. Any connections out there? Hit me up!)
The Melbourne Fringe in three (ish) words.
A Devious Daring Discotheque (of Debauched Darlings).
A favourite Melbourne Fringe memory.
It was a year when September decided to very warm – The closing night happened and mid-party the fluoro’s abruptly interrupted the dancing and the beautiful security herded all the fringers out the front of Town Hall. There was much screaming of ‘Where do we go now, world?’ So, a couple of friends and I decided that we should head back to our sleepy suburb of East Melbourne and take over one of the parks. To our delight most of the revelers followed and we finished Fringe sipping beverages on picnic rugs under the stars. Bliss.
What is your experience as an independent artist being part of the Melbourne Fringe?
I have been participating in Melbourne Fringe since 2010. During this time, I have presented many brand new works and have had the opportunity to extend my creative network … mainly at the Fringe Club after shows. It’s a bunch of sweat and tears, but a fuckload of fun.
What makes the Melbourne Fringe unique?
The fact that so many venues around Melbourne become their own satellite hub environments. During the two weeks of Fringe, you can be in any number of suburbs around the city (even as far as Seaford) and you can see a show or 12!
Your advice for choosing what to see in the Melbourne Fringe.
Pick something you wouldn’t normally be drawn to. You may be surprised. You may not. Either way, you’ve spent an hour feeding your creative mind, supporting an artist and the next hour could be a hoot. Also, go to the Club Nights – you dance, you sweat and you chat to people who genuinely love seeing your face turn up to their show when they’ve invited you at the bar.
ALSO: Please flick through the guide, point to something and see it! You could change your life…or not.
Do you think there’s a better system than star ratings for reviews?
Hmmmm. Not really. I think reviews are a really important part of performance and the surrounding conversation, but stars are, in the end, subjective. I say take your own gold star stickers to each show and you can leave your own rating on the body of the performer.
Five shows/events that you will not miss at the 2017 Melbourne Fringe.
Hannah Camilleri: Vision Statement (I am directing, but don’t let that dissuade you. Hannah is a force of character comedy.)
The Birth of the Unicorn Mermaid
Faith. A celebration of the world's most unholy queer icon: George Michael
Let’s get Practical! Live. Presented by The Very Good Looking Initiative
Betty GRUMBLE: Sex Clown Saves the World
