DOCUMENT OUTLINE

1. Introduction
2. Background Information on Melbourne Fringe & Our Show
3. Account of Dealings with Melbourne Fringe Festival PART ONE
4. Account of Dealings with Melbourne Fringe Festival PART TWO
5. The Melbourne Fringe Festival Responds
6. Alternatives for Fringe Artists & Festivals

INTRODUCTION

Full time paid staff of The Melbourne Fringe Festival actively attempted to shut down an independent production, censored the artists in the production and cited non-existant clauses in a contract to prevent the production to continue. Attempts to discuss the matter with the staff, the general manager and the board were all rebuffed. Since the Melbourne Fringe Festival refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the room our only chance of preventing this from happening to other artists is to tell the story.

I believe any blame does not lie with individuals but rather with the core model that the festival operates from. It is clear that this model is long overdue for renewal, it is several decades since its formulation and the world is now quite different. Ramifications of this model and alternatives will be discussed at the end of this document.

(All names have been changed to protect people and venues, as this is about an organisation and not individuals.)

Next Page - Background Information