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This show belongs to the Adelaide Fringe 2026 season. This season is now over.

A woman screaming overlayed on an image of a fractal farm land with sparks and orange glow
Two young people standing against a red and purple background. They are both looking at the camera with stern looks
Two young people standing against a red and purple background. They are both looking at the camera with stern looks
Adelaide Fringe 2026

because there was fire

On a warm summer night two teens disappear from a neighbourhood barbecue, fleeing to the outback on a reckless, robbery-fueled road trip. But they soon learn that escape isn't that easy… and fires can burn beyond control. 

The debut play from multi-award-winning South Australian playwright Jamie Hornsby returns to the Adelaide Fringe. Superbly directed by Joshua Maxwell, 'because there was fire' is a darkly comic coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the burning Australian bush.

WINNER: Best Work Newcastle Fringe 2018
WINNER: Best Drama, Best Feature and Best First-Time Screenwriter at Melbourne International Screenplay Awards (Screen Adaptation)


★★★★★ - We Talk Theatre
★★★★1/2 - The Barefoot Review
★★★★ - Glam Adelaide 


“Truly marvellous.” - Stage Whispers

Presented by: Watermelon Jam and Jopuka Youth Arts,

Watermelon Jam is the producing company led by Joshua Maxwell, an award-winning director, designer and producer with extensive Fringe experience across Australia. For Adelaide Fringe 2026, Watermelon Jam presents because there was fire in association with Jopuka Productions, one of NSW’s leading youth arts companies. Jamie Hornsby is a multi-award-winning playwright, composer, performer and photographer. Jamie has received two AWGIE Awards, including the prestigious David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre, and the Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards. His work has been produced nationally and internationally, including at ATYP’s Rebel Theatre in Sydney, the GREC Festival in Barcelona, and three Off-Broadway readings in New York City.
Theatre and Physical Theatre • Contemporary
Australia
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Suitability & warnings

Content rating: MA15+
Target audience: High School (15-17)
Sex Scenes
Sexual References: Occasional, Mild
Coarse Language: Frequent, Strong
Mental Health
Loud Noises
Depicts Violence: Occasional, Mild

Presenter

Presented by: Watermelon Jam and Jopuka Youth Arts,

Watermelon Jam is the producing company led by Joshua Maxwell, an award-winning director, designer and producer with extensive Fringe experience across Australia. For Adelaide Fringe 2026, Watermelon Jam presents because there was fire in association with Jopuka Productions, one of NSW’s leading youth arts companies. Jamie Hornsby is a multi-award-winning playwright, composer, performer and photographer. Jamie has received two AWGIE Awards, including the prestigious David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre, and the Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards. His work has been produced nationally and internationally, including at ATYP’s Rebel Theatre in Sydney, the GREC Festival in Barcelona, and three Off-Broadway readings in New York City.