The premise of this show is great. Fringe For Kids brings multiple kiddy-orientated Fringe acts together in one place, with each giving the audience a taste of what to expect at their larger main shows. It’s a terrific way to expose kids to different types of acts so they can then choose for themselves what kinds of things they’d like to see. 

It’s not a new concept by any stretch, and I’ve often seen shows like this tank, but the Wildhouse Circus crew have done a good job of selecting/enticing good quality acts to perform, ensuring the young audience are well entertained. Wildhouse Circus should also be credited for not only assembling a line-up of performers for kids, but a line-up that included kids too. Performers nurturing young performers and supporting them while they hone their craft is a side of The Fringe that is overlooked too often.

Every show has a different line up of performers, so there’s no guarantee of who you’ll see, but we were lucky enough to witness Tim Rutty’s carefully crafted aerial rope routine, Emma Smith’s fun and precise dancing, and Amelia Racz’s captivating Aerial Tissu work. 

This reviewer even found himself on stage with his kids as assistants to the fun and clever magic of Kevin Quantum. But it was Ish Ryden’s roller-skating finalé that the crowd enjoyed the most. They gave a performance that everyone, kids and adults, enjoyed. 

Hanny Cryle handles the hosting duties well, and the whole show, although short and simple, is an excellent example of good, talented people doing cool Fringey stuff with other good talented people. If you want to introduce your little ones to the biggest arts festival in Australia, ‘Fringe For Kids’ is a great way to do it.