Scarborough's Cultural Transformation: Fringe Festival Arrives with Diverse Performances
Scarborough is poised for an artistic revolution as the suburb prepares to host more than fifty captivating performances across eight action-packed days. The inaugural FringeConnect Stirling festival, running as part of Fringe World 2026, will transform the Scarborough Sports and Community Club into a vibrant cultural epicentre from Thursday, February 5, to Sunday, February 8, and again from Thursday, February 12, to Sunday, February 15.
Diverse Entertainment Across Two Purpose-Built Venues
The festival will utilise two specially constructed performance spaces: an intimate eighty-seat room perfect for close encounters with artists, and a larger two hundred and twenty-seat theatre designed for bigger productions. This dual-venue approach ensures audiences can experience everything from comedy and cabaret to music, theatre, and family-friendly entertainment in settings tailored to each performance style.
Charlie Chaplin Comes to Life Through Marcel Cole's Mime
Among the standout acts is Marcel Cole with his acclaimed production Smile: The Story of Charlie Chaplin. Named after legendary mime Marcel Marceau, Cole has been touring this unique show for approximately eighteen months, including a successful sold-out run at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe. Cole explains the universal appeal of his performance, noting that Charlie Chaplin's silent films transcend cultural and language barriers, making his story accessible to everyone.
"While pretty much everyone knows of Charlie Chaplin, not many people really know much about him," Cole observes. "So I think it's really fun to be able to bring his story to life. All ages can enjoy it, kids love it, and I love it because it's like a cartoon. The physical comedy is great, chases, trips, falls, hits on the head, even kicks in the bum. It's that kind of slapstick everyone understands and enjoys."
Cole begins his nine-show Perth Fringe tour on January 31 and will perform at the Scarborough Sports and Community Club on Saturday, February 7, bringing his silent film-inspired physical comedy to local audiences.
Local Hypnotist Matt Hale Brings 90s Nostalgia to Scarborough
Scarborough resident Matt Hale returns to his home suburb with his 90s-themed hypnosis show Funbelievable! 90s Rewind, scheduled for four performances from Tuesday, February 10, to Sunday, February 15. With fifteen years of international touring experience, Hale promises a fast-paced, interactive experience filled with laughter and classic 90s music.
"People can be absolutely buzzing by the time they leave the venue, whether they were on stage or whether they were in the audience, and that's always their choice," Hale explains. "It's great to be able to do a show in my local area, and I really hope the community gets behind the whole Scarborough program, because there's a wide range of fantastic acts on offer."
Hale describes hypnosis as a psychological process where imagination creates reality, often resulting in unexpected and entertaining audience participation. "Sometimes it results in the most outrageous dance moves you'd never think someone in front of you could do, or just the worst dance moves ever," he adds with a laugh.
Flamingo Strings Makes Classical Music Accessible and Fun
Perth-based educational string quartet Flamingo Strings, led by Anna Sarcich, makes its Fringe debut with two distinct performances. Their adults-only show Classical AF on Friday, February 13, offers a hilarious, interactive crash course in music theory, while their family-friendly production Are You Afraid of the Bach? on Sunday, February 15, brings classical music to life for all ages.
Comprising professional musicians from the WA Symphony Orchestra with seven years of educational experience, Flamingo Strings aims to demystify classical music. "It's actually not this elitist, highfalutin thing that people think it is," Sarcich emphasises. "It's actually very accessible if you just know a little bit about it. All you need to know is a little bit, and then your world gets opened up."
The quartet's approach involves significant audience interaction, creating a casual atmosphere that contrasts with traditional symphony orchestra performances. "We make it much more casual, as opposed to a far-away symphony orchestra on a stage," Sarcich notes. "We try to be as close to the audience as we possibly can."
A Festival for the Whole Community
FringeConnect Stirling represents a significant cultural investment in Scarborough, offering residents and visitors alike the opportunity to experience world-class entertainment in their local community. With performances ranging from silent film homage to interactive hypnosis and engaging classical music, the festival promises something for every taste and age group, transforming Scarborough into a must-visit destination during the Fringe World 2026 season.
