Fringe celebrates “killer year” as audiences embrace the weird and wonderful

Key points

• Melbourne Fringe chief executive and artistic director Danny Delahunty says this year has been an exceptionally strong one for the festival. Attendance rose on last year, with plenty of sold-out shows across 442 affordable events.
• The curated program, including international acts brought through the Passport program, was well received. Two standout shows were The Carrot Show, created by Hayley Edwards and Justin Gardam, and Slugs, from North American performers Sam Kruger and S.E.
• Grummett. Nearly 40 awards were announced at the closing-night event on October 18.