Five Outstanding Australian Productions Shortlisted for the 2025 House of Oz Purse Prize
Sun, Mar 16 2025
House of Oz, in partnership with Adelaide Fringe, is proud to reveal the five extraordinary productions shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 House of Oz Prize Purse. This initiative, which provides Australian artists with an unparalleled opportunity to take their work to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has quickly become one of the most significant career-launching platforms for performers at Adelaide Fringe.
This year’s shortlist features a diverse lineup of bold, original works that showcase the depth and creativity of Australian performing arts:
Content for Meatfolk – Samwise Hemmings
FLICK – Mad Nunn Productions
Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence - Crash Theatre Co
NIUSIA – Beth Paterson
Skinny – Michelle Pearson
FLICK – Mad Nunn Productions
Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence - Crash Theatre Co
NIUSIA – Beth Paterson
Skinny – Michelle Pearson
Each of these productions has captivated audiences with their artistry, compelling narratives, and innovative performances. The House of Oz Prize is designed to open global doors for Australian artists, providing international exposure, industry connections, and opportunities for long-term touring success.
Michelle Pearson, who was a recipient of one of last year’s prizes (along with Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours, Yozi: No Babies in the Sauna, Lewis Major Projects: Triptych, Clockfire Theatre Company: Plenty of Fish In The Sea) for Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia, reflected on the transformative impact of the program:
“I’m incredibly grateful—you’ve literally changed my life with the 2024 Purse Prize for Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia*. Thanks to you, I’ve booked two years of AUS tours, employing seven SA artists in 2025–2026. You’ve not only transformed my career but also impacted Aaron, Luke, Brendan, Sam, Jess, Michael, Stephen, and my Comfort Food Cabaret team—our gratitude is immense!”*
Now in its second year, the partnership between House of Oz and Adelaide Fringe continues to strengthen pathways for Australian artists to reach international audiences. The productions selected from this year’s shortlist will be announced soon and will go on to represent Australia at the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe in 2025.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners and follow along as these exceptional artists take the next step in their journey to global recognition!