The NZ Fringe Festival is traditionally a low budget affair, both for audiences and for performers, but yesterday’s disaster has led Wellington Fringe participants to rally together with fundraising efforts from donating profits from existing shows to setting up specific special events with all proceeds going to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.

A Facebook page, ‘Fringe Friends of Canterbury’ has been set up to present all such efforts in one place, with multiple performers getting on board. ‘How’s Wife’ performer and group founder Jennifer O’Sullivan will be donating 100% of profits from her show to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.

“It’s a tremendously difficult time for everyone, and we all need to do what we can do. As a solo performer I am lucky in that I don’t have as many costs, nor do I have a company to support, so every penny of profit will be going to the appeal. Any donation, whatever we can afford, will absolutely be worth it.”

Many Wellington performers have joined the cause - efforts announced so far include:

• New theatre company Hungry Mile Theatre’s debut performance, ‘There’s So Much To Live For’ (also produced by O’Sullivan) has pledged 50% of profits from their show this week (BATS Theatre, 22-26 Feb @ 9:30pm)
• Performers for ‘Improv Cage Match’ by The Improvisors have pledged their share of profits to the cause (Circa Theatre, 22-26 Feb @ 7:30pm)
• The Fringe Bar will play host to a special fundraiser event ‘El Jaguar and Friends heart Shakeytown’ with all proceeds from performance and bake sale going to the appeal (25 Feb @ 9:30pm)

The Fringe is a time for a community of performers from many different ares to come together and celebrate the arts, and the group hopes that even more performers will join in raising funds for the appeal.

More events and pledges will be added to the group, for up-to-date info and to ‘like’ the page visit Fringe Friends of Canterbury.

NZ Fringe Festival 2011