Runaway Gardens

Overview

If you've missed Sydney Fringe Festival over its last few years of absence, you're in luck, the festival is back with one of its biggest programs to date. Included in the festivities are six weeks of everything from cabaret and drag to comedy and live tunes taking over First Fleet Park in The Rocks as part of Runaway Gardens.

This beloved part of the festival returns on Tuesday August 16–Sunday, September 25 with its extravagant Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent on hand. Amid the impressive pop-up venue's stained-glass windows, velvet aplenty and yes, mirrors, you'll be able to watch boundary-pushing burlesque, laugh at big comedy names and sip your way through a mimosa-fuelled drag brunch club.

Headlining the program is the previously announced Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett, which'll unleash its second 2022 season upon Sydney — sword swallowing, hair hanging, Cirque Du Soleil aerialists and all. German kabarett superstar Bernie Dieter leads the charge, and she's been described as "an electrifying cross between Lady Gaga, Marlene Dietrich and Frank-N-Futer in sequins", if you're wondering what you're in for.

Also on the lineup: the Poof Doof Drag Brunch Club, which is exactly what it sounds like. Spend your Saturdays drinking while checking out an array of drag, comedy, burlesque and cabaret performers, with your beverages included in your ticket.

If you're keen on checking out the live music bill, Runaway Gardens is focusing on legendary performers playing intimate gigs, with Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Renee Geyer, Richard Clapton, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, and The Black Sorrows doing the honours. And if you're eager to get giggling, the comedy lineup includes Arj Barker, Jimeoin, Akmal and Lawrence Mooney, as well as a Multicultural Comedy Gala featuring Dilruk Jayasinha, Georgie Carroll and Tahir.

Merrick Watts will talk you through vino in the Idiot's Guide to Wine, too — and, across two Friday Up Late gigs, Odette and Jack Ladder will unleash their musical talents. Plus, there's a gin-fuelled Festival Club running a best of the fest program every Thursday night, covering comics, cabaret, circus and musos, with help from the house jazz band.

As well as all the action in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Runaway Gardens boasts an outdoor bar and pop-up restaurant, all with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The precinct operates from 4–10pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12–11pm Friday–Saturday and 12–10pm on Sundays.

Images: Andre Castellucci