A young woman with her mouth open, expressing intense emotion, as fire embers rush past her face. The vibrant yellow and orange background heightens the visual impact, with a faint windmill and countryside visible in the distance.

A young woman in a black top is depicted screaming, indicating a moment of heightened emotion.

A man in a black hoodie stands in front of a sign that reads "soar above yourself" howling like a wolf with his hands cupped around his face.

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

Jump to Buy TIX

Theatre and Physical Theatre • Contemporary

Australia

: Wed, 11 Mar - Sat, 21 Mar
: 60 min
: The Library at Ayers House Events
: MA15+ (6 Warnings)
: $28 to $30
: All transactions incur a $4.80 Transaction fee.

More show, venue & access details

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.

Sessions

Duration: 60 min

Wed 11 Mar - Thu 12 Mar: 6:45pm

Fri 13 Mar: 6:00pm

Sat 14 Mar: 5:15pm

Wed 18 Mar - Thu 19 Mar: 6:45pm

Fri 20 Mar: 6:00pm

Sat 21 Mar: 8:00pm

Ticket Prices

Full price: $30.00

Early Bird: $21.00

Health Care Cardholder: $28.00

Senior: $28.00

Student: $28.00

Companion Card: $0.00

Midweek Treat: $25.00

Prices may not be available on all sessions

All transactions incur a $4.80 Transaction Fee (some exceptions apply). Read more at Fees explained.

1 Venue

The Library at Ayers House Events

Ayers House, 288 North Terrace, Adelaide

We have access from North Terrace via two driveways. Additional access is via Rundle Street via Paxton's Walk. We have parking onsite (pay and display) and a U-Park next door to the west.

: Step-free mobility aid access through the main entrance with an accessible bathroom.
: Venue is suitable for all ages

Detailed venue info and space accessibility

Suitability & Warnings

Content Rating: MA15+

Target Audience: High School (15-17) | Adults (18+)

Family Friendly: No

Sexual References : Occasional, Mild

Coarse Language : Frequent, Strong

Depicts Violence : Occasional, Mild

Other Warnings: Sex Scenes, Mental Health, Loud Noises