Andy Warhol actor to grace 10th fringe festival

Launching the 2013 Fringe Festival programme in a Dowling St alleyway last night are (from left) Clementine Flatley, Luke Agnew (monster), Zoe Connor, festival director Paul Smith and Giverny Lewis. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Andy Warhol will make a surprise appearance at the 2013 Dunedin Fringe Festival.

American actor, director and writer Crispin Hellion Glover, who played Warhol in The Doors film, was revealed in a dark Dunedin alleyway last night as the marquee act for next month's festival.

Glover is known for his eccentric acting roles, such as George McFly in Back to the Future and the ''Thin Man'' in Charlie's Angels. He will present ''Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide Show and Films'' at his two performances.

The 2013 programme was launched with a monster theme in a Dowling St alleyway last night to mark the 10th anniversary of the Fringe.

''This is a milestone for Dunedin and we've really pulled out all the stops to put together a big programme which will really engage people,'' festival director Paul Smith said last night.

''It's a really important part of the city now and it makes concrete our claim as an artistic city. The Fringe is about artistic innovation and it brings acts to Dunedin we wouldn't get to see otherwise.''

More than 300 artists will be performing in 60 different events during the 10 days.

''They're all high-quality acts from New Zealand and around the world. People will see it and feel it and, I hope, they will get out and enjoy it,'' Mr Smith said.

Free artistic hors d'oeuvres will be served up in the Octagon every lunchtime, when Fringe Picks provides performers with a platform to hawk their creative wares.

The Otago Daily Times ticket and information kiosk will also be open in the lower Octagon from 10am every day of the festival.

The festival will be officially launched at 8pm in the Octagon on March 13 and run from March 14 to 24.