About 31 of the 82 shows have been cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, including Polson Higgs Opening Night Showcase and Fringe in the Octagon events.
Fringe Arts Trust director Gareth McMillan said the decision had been made based on guidelines from the Ministry of Health and in the best interests of the community.
‘‘I am gutted for the Fringe, it is not the birthday we had planned,’’ he said.
‘‘My heart goes out to everyone affected, especially our whanau.’’
Further cancellations had been made by the artists themselves and the venues.
McMillan said Fringe supported the artists who had decided to cancel, as well as those who might.
He encouraged people to show support for artists and attend the events that went ahead.
Refunds would also be available for those people who had bought tickets to cancelled events, as well as the option to donate the ticket price to the artist.
Canned shows:
African Warrior Living Statue, Brittonus, David Correos' Chaotic Frogz and The Sad Elephant, Dear Boobs ... on Stage, Dunedin Race Relations Week, Eurydice, FutuRetrospective: A Steampunk Adventure, How To Win A Pub Quiz, James Nokise: God Damn Fancy Man, Liv McKenzie: Living the Dream, Lolsy Byrne: End of Daze, Michele A'Court & Jeremy Elwood On The Road, Play: Ground 2020, Roast Battle, Run Rabbit, Sexy Ghost Boy, Simon Caine: Every Room Becomes a Panic Room When You Overthink Enough, Sine Rave, Sobre Rodes, Squirt, Tea Time, The Secret Woodland Circus, Thursday, Ansia, And then ... , The Arboreal Aerialist , Chris Parker— Iconique , Antipodeans, DayBoy, Beyond the Triangle, Play it by Ear.
