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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Entertainment
Sian Cain

Melbourne Fringe drops the Butterfly Club over allegations of verbal abuse and threatening behaviour

The entrance to the Butterfly Club
The entrance to the Butterfly Club, which has been removed as a venue for the Melbourne Fringe for 2024. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/The Guardian

Melbourne Fringe will not use the Butterfly Club as a festival venue this year, after complaints alleging verbally abusive, intimidating and threatening behaviour made against its owner by two artists were found to be substantiated in an investigation conducted by the festival.

Since the club opened in 1999, it has been renowned as a home for new and alternative performers, making it a popular Fringe venue. The club, where the likes of Tim Minchin, Sammy J and Eddie Perfect started out, estimates that it hosts about 1,200 performances each year.

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