Adelaide Fringe will mark the opening of the five-week long festival with a welcome ceremony to acknowledge the land and waters on which the event takes place. This will be held at Adelaide Botanic Garden on 12 February 2023, the Sunday before Fringe commences. This is a free, family-friendly event. 

The 2023 program has seen a 14% increase on last year’s number of shows, with the number of international shows returning to pre-COVID levels. Interstate and international acts make-up over 40% of the program this year. 

Ambassadors who have teamed up with Adelaide Fringe to champion the 2023 season include long-time Fringe performer and Drag Race Down Under finalist Kween Kong who is performing in B.A.Bz in Wonderland Spiegeltent at Hindmarsh Square, the internationally respected performance artist Penny Arcade in the new Pyramid venue in Victoria Square, along with the world renowned comedy powerhouse, Sarah Millican in Thebarton Theatre.

The Ambassador Program helps shout the story of Fringe to interstate and international audiences. 2023 represents the 10 year anniversary of the Adelaide Fringe Ambassador program with many iconic Ambassadors such as Marcia Hines and Ross Noble returning to Adelaide Fringe and working to raise the profile around the world.

Aussie Entertainment Royalty and 2020 Fringe Ambassador Marcia Hines said, “I am delighted to be performing in Velvet Rewired next year, as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Adelaide Fringe Ambassador Program. I am proud to have been an ambassador. I love Adelaide and the Fringe, it holds a special place in my heart as it is where Velvet was born.”

 

Electric Dreams is back in 2023 with a full program centred around digital technology, immersive storytelling, augmented reality and virtual reality. The centrepiece of the Electric Dreams is the creative industries conference on February 20 that attracts tech professionals, artists, and industry from across the country. The Electric Dreams program also features interactive and immersive shows at the Museum of South Australia, Adelaide University, Palace Cinema and Light. 

Adelaide Fringe will kick off with epic performances in Elder Park from Les Commandos Percu with their internationally acclaimed show Silence! Performing to thousands of people per night, this pyrotechnic spectacular will take your breath away. (3 shows only)

Fringe in the regions has exploded this year with shows spanning from the far West of the state to the South East. Regional hubs such as the Barossa Valley/ Peramangk Country, The Clare Valley/Ngadjuri Country and Murray Bridge/Ngarrindjeri Country areas, bursting at the seams with Fringe programming. This year, over 12% of the program will be taking place in Regional areas.

There are over 300 venues in 2023, including favourties the Garden of Unearthly Delights, Gluttony, Wonderland in Hindmarsh Square, Holden Street Theatres, Rhino Room and Light at The Lab and welcoming the Yurt at the Migration Museum, The Vault & The Pyramid at Fool’s Paradise (Victoria Square), and AC Arts in Light Square amongst many more new venues! 

Coinciding with the Program Launch, Adelaide Fringe is thrilled to announce the new Community Fund Partner for 2023, Lutheran Care. The Community Fund sits within the Adelaide Fringe Foundation and supports local vulnerable communities by providing tickets for disadvantaged groups, schools and individuals who may otherwise not be able to experience Adelaide Fringe. Thanks to the support from Lutheran Care, more tickets will be given out this year than ever before. 

Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said, “After a knockout 2022 season we are so excited to be announcing such an incredible program for 2023. As an open access arts festival, the program takes a form of its own, driven by the artists and shows that register and we are so happy that more than 1200 shows have been registered.”

“I am both humbled and excited to announce our Community Fund partner Lutheran Care for 2023 who will assist in helping disadvantaged groups attend Fringe through ticket donations.” 

“It is wonderful to see so many international shows coming back after a couple of years of not being able to have internationals here. It is a bumper program full of old favourites as well as hundreds of new shows,” said Heather. 

BankSA State General Manager, Consumer and Business, Ben Owen said “Fringe is such a strong part of South Australia’s identity and the program for 2023 will draw audiences locally, and from interstate and overseas again, to generate valuable economic, social and cultural activity for the state.”

Minister for Arts, Andrea Micheals MP said “Adelaide Fringe is an absolute drawcard for South Australia and it’s no secret as to why. You only need to see how the city’s atmosphere shifts across February and March to understand why it’s special and why it has such an immense impact on tourism and the economy in South Australia”.

Registrations to participate in Adelaide Fringe are still open. Tickets are now on sale  www.adelaidefringe.com.au (6 December 2022).

The Adelaide Fringe is supported by the State Government of South Australia. The Ambassador Program is supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission. 2023 marks 18 years of BankSA’s Principal Partnership with Adelaide Fringe. 

Lumo Energy SA is empowering audiences to be sustainable in their Fringe experience with e-tickets once again in 2023.

Johnny Graham ⎸0405 040 153  ⎸ johnny@mogulsocial.com.au