THE POLE SHEBANG at Melbourne Fringe Festival

The unexpected journey of a gender-rebellious neurodivergent tomboy into the glamorous world of pole

STORYTELLING... BUT ON A POLE!

One Person. One Pole. One Hour. Take a behind the scenes detour on this journey of a tomboy pole dancer, when she is unexpectedly called up to the biggest stage in the world - a stage full of the most iconic, glittering, glamorous pole dancers in all the land!

‘THE POLE SHEBANG’ is a coming of middle age story by a neurodivergent gender-rebellious Asian-Canadian/Australian navigating the glitzy shadows of the pole dance world, where she’s always just a little bit late and a little bit left of centre stage...

“A FUN HIGH-ENERGY ROMP... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” (The Vibe Hamilton)

“THE FINAL NUMBER IS PURE NERD CULTURE JOY” (Steel City Review)

“A POWERFUL JOURNEY... BITTERSWEET & FUNNY” (The Hammer Monthly)

★★★★½ (On The House)

★★★★½ (Clara Reviews)

★★★★ (Perth Happenings)

Andrea James Lui, originally from Canada, is a theatrical trailblazer in the Australian pole community. With a background in theatre, stage combat, and sketch comedy, she is best known for her energetic & versatile style - performing, competing, and teaching pole & flying pole for the last 10+ years all around the country, including at Adelaide Fringe Festival, Sydney Opera House, and Miss Pole Dance Australia.

Presenting Artist or Company

Andrea James Lui is a neurodivergent, gender-rebellious Asian-Canadian/Australian pole dancer & theatre maker. Originally from Toronto, this Gold Coast-based artist is a theatrical trailblazer in the Australian pole community. With a background in theatre, stage combat, and sketch comedy, she is best known for her energetic & versatile style - performing, competing, and teaching pole & flying pole for the last 10+ years nationally & internationally, including at Adelaide Fringe Festival, Sydney Opera House, and Miss Pole Dance Australia.

AJL is the creator & performer of The Pole Shebang, a self-produced & self-funded solo storytelling pole dancing show, that premiered at a tiny Fringe Festival in Canada in 2024. Two years & half a dozen festivals later, The Pole Shebang has now debuted in Australia with sights set on Edinburgh Fringe in 2027.

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💥 THE POLE SHEBANG 💥

October 7-11 | 9:45pm (8:45pm Sunday)

Trades Hall - Meeting Room