Melbourne audiences will soon be invited to say sorry—and really mean it—when acclaimed theatre company Alternative Facts presents its quietly subversive participatory performance Sincere Apologies at the 2025 Melbourne Fringe. Running from 8 to 19 October at Trades Hall, The Square, the work is created by award-winning artists Dan Koop, Jamie Lewis & David Williams.
At its heart, Sincere Apologies is a show about the art of saying sorry. Blending theatrical ritual with social experiment, the production explores what apology means in a world marked by broken systems, fractured relationships & the hollow disclaimers of bureaucracy.
Funny, moving & disarmingly genuine, the work creates space for reflection, repair & shared responsibility. Yet, unlike many participatory performances, Sincere Apologies is designed with care: nothing is ever compulsory. With gentle guidance and a surprising sense of camaraderie, audiences slowly help construct the show—whether by reading aloud, reflecting quietly or simply watching.
“The show will make you think but it will always, always look after you,” says co-creator David Williams. “It’s a show where everyone will be involved, just a little bit. There are surprises. You will definitely laugh at times. You might occasionally cry a little. We’re in this together.”
The performance has already drawn praise from critics across the country. What’s The Show? called it “an incredibly reflective and enriching experience,” while On The House! awarded it four stars, describing it as “timely and moving.” Stage Whispers hailed it as “lyrical and moving,” and the South Sydney Herald labelled it “interesting, entertaining and thought-provoking.”
Founded under the leadership of Williams and producer Suzie Franke, Alternative Facts has carved a reputation for creating works of social relevance, aesthetic rigour & emotional impact—theatre designed, in their words, to “change the world, one person at a time.” Their recent projects include Is Shakespeare in this Movie?, Democracy Sausage and Grace Under Pressure.
Performance details
- Venue: Trades Hall—The Square
- Dates: 8–19 October 2025
- Times: Wednesday–Saturday, 6pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 5pm & 6.30pm
- Duration: 55 minutes, no interval
- Tickets: melbournefringe.com.au
- Warnings: Occasional coarse language; non-compulsory audience participation
With its mix of sincerity, humour & community-building, Sincere Apologies looks set to be one of the festival’s most distinctive offerings—a chance for audiences not only to watch theatre, but to help build it.
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