More than 6000 artists will take part in 1223 shows in 442 venues across the state, while regional hubs have sprung up as well, with the Fringe taking root in Gawler, the Fleurieu, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Whyalla and Kangaroo Island.
“It’s always so exciting to see the amazing level of diversity in the Adelaide Fringe program,” said Fringe CEO Heather Croall in a release. “There’s practically no stone left unturned and no topic that isn’t being explored in some way.”
As announced earlier this year, the opening parade has been discarded for a new Parade of Light along North Terrace, which will open with a street party at on February 16 and continue until its conclusion in March. Preceding this opening will be Tindo Utpurndee, a stirring sunset ceremony and tribute to First Nations people on the lawns of the South Australian Museum.
Further promotions and activations outside of the programmed shows include the Street Art Explosion, which will see murals and installations commissioned throughout the city and suburbs, the Goose Chase scavenger hunt and Fringe Dollars discounts.
Theatre show Flesh & Bone brings Shakespearean dialogue into an East London tower block
After a contentious period of uncertainty over its future, the Royal Croquet Club will also come to life again on the Riverbank, and hopes to attract large audiences to marquee performances including Gravity & Other Myths’ A Simple Space.
Theatre highlights from the 2018 program include a range of drama, timely comedy and children’s entertainment.
Holden Street Theatres is set to host Borders by Henry Naylor and Flesh & Bone, two shows that come with high critical praise from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Borders reflects on contradictions in the way we view refugee crises by contrasting the life of a Western paparazzo with that of a Syrian street artist, while Flesh & Bone’s lyrical and profane script delves into the lives of residents in an East London tower block.
Have You Tried Yoga? will explore the experience of chronically ill and disabled people
More deep themes will be explored in Have You Tried Yoga? playing at The Mill. This performance from Melbourne theatre-maker Rachel Edmonds tackles real stories from communities of chronically ill and disabled people and the empty platitudes and hollow cares of the world’s wannabe heroes.
Comedic theatre highlights can be found in the Adelaide debut of Fleabag at the Garden of Unearthly delights, which went on to become the hit BBC comedy series of the same name, and We Are Ian at Gluttony, which calls back the late-‘80s of Thatcherite England with hilarious disdain.
The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy will return to delight kids in a 10th anniversary show
Those looking for an experimental, immersive theatre experience will do well to keep an eye out for Dion, playing at Raj House. Described as a “fringe lesbian revenge art grenade” by The Age, Dion takes its audience on a literal journey, driving deep into the world of heartbreak.
Local company Slingsby Theatre will revive The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy for its 10th anniversary season, providing a proven, high-quality show for kids and adults alike. Cheeseboy is a storytelling marvel, where audiences are regaled with the tale of a boy from a world of cheese under clever lighting, projections and original tunes.
Adelaide Fringe Festival
February 16 until March 18
adelaidefringe.com.au
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