The 2013 Adelaide Fringe program was today launched at the Fringe warehouse in true Fringe spirit. The event featured a performance from Fringe ambassador Paul McDermott as well as 20 Fringe acts that performed as guests arrived.
The Fringe warehouse is where over the next 12 weeks artists will come together to build the Fringe Parade floats and costumes that spectators will be able to see on the opening night of the Fringe on Friday 15 February.
Fringe Director Greg Clarke explained that “The Parade team will be working with Fringe artists, Indigenous communities, new Australians, young people and people with disabilities on a series of illuminated floats around the theme of inside out.”
Judy Potter, Adelaide Fringe Chair, announced that “the Fringe was entering a new phase with 2013 offering four weeks of a myriad of experiences, fun and spontaneity.” She challenged everyone to “not only go and see their favourites but to take a few risks and have the time of their life.”
“There is no better time to be in Adelaide than at Fringe time and this year it’s going to be the best yet. The program is bursting with amazing events for everyone, everywhere.” said Mr. Clarke.
Although the printed guide is not released until Saturday 5 January 2013, Ms. Potter highlighted that everyone could now access the full program of 930 events online at adelaidefringe.com.au and start buying tickets.
She announced that “new for 2013 is that the booking fee is now included in the advertised ticket price so there will be no surprises when customers go to buy tickets through FringeTIX – the one stop shop for all Fringe shows.”
To help audiences choose what to see Mr. Clarke also announced a new children’s section and the inaugural Fringe Weekly awards that will be awarded to the best events in each art-form.
He added “It’s going to be a difficult task for the guest judges as there are 114 cabaret shows, 32 circus and physical theatre shows, 107 theatre productions, 254 comedy events, 25 dance shows, 7 film events, 197 music concerts and 105 art exhibitions.”
Faced with the difficult task of what to highlight in such a massive program Mr Clarke gave a taste of the diversity and quality of the program by highlighting international, national and local shows in each category. In circus he highlighted the world premier of Limbo from the creators of the 2011 Fringe hit Cantina, the South American production Circolombia and local company Gravity and other Myths with their award winning show Freefall at the Town Hall.
“Audiences will be spoilt for choice with everything from the fun of London cabaret duo, Frisky and Mannish who are returning to Adelaide with a brand new show direct from London to the extraordinary theatre of the award winning theatre production Glory Dazed, a darkly comic, acerbic look at the impact of the Afghanistan war on returning soldiers.”
Other theatre highlights include: Bane, billed as Diehard meets Naked Gun on stage; the brilliant hit show from Prague Fringe Le Foulard; and the funny and surreal Leo from Germany. Comedy fans will have a feast of acts to choose from including Fringe favourites Jimeoin, Judith Lucy and Denise Scott, Arj Barker, Danny Bhoy, Hannah Gadsby, Wil Anderson and Sam Simmons.
International stars include Ruby Wax, Stephen K Amos, the funniest woman in Britain Sarah Millican and the subversive and surreal Paul Foot. Comedy shows include the winner of the Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award Cartoobs and other Typos by First Dog in the Moon, Abandoman – the winner of the 2012 Fringe Best Emerging comedy award and Ireland’s Pony Dance.
Two new outdoor live music venues were highlighted, Howl the Moon in Stepney featuring The Yearlings and The Depot on the site of the old bus depot on Grote & Franklin Streets. The Depot will present a Fringe closing night concert featuring Pete Murray with The Whitlams and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
In visual arts, not to be missed is Paul McDermott’s first art exhibition The Dark Garden and 2013 Fringe poster artist Andy Petrusevic’s solo show Mitzie: Modern Icon. Mr. Clarke highlighted the special free events in 2013 including Fringe in the Mall, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spirit Festival over the opening weekend, the Fringe Street Theatre Festival over the long weekend, Desert Fringe in Port Augusta and new for 2013, the world premiere of Window World.
He explained, “Window World is a new free event featuring night-time performances in the windows of the State Library of South Australia.”
BankSA Managing Director Jane Kittel said “As Principal Partner since 2006 BankSA is thrilled with the 2013 program and its superb mixture of shows”. “BankSA is proud to continue its support of Adelaide Fringe with initiatives including the BankSA Free concerts in the Garden of Unearthly Delights and through the Support Act program that offers tickets to more than 119 Fringe shows for the discounted ticket price of only $10.”
Ms. Kittel said. Adelaide Fringe kicks off for a month long party from Friday February 15 and runs until Sunday 17 March.
Program and tickets now available at adelaidefringe.com.au, m.adelaidefringe.com.au, the Fringe iPhone App, FringeTIX box offices or phone 1300 621 255.
2013 Program Highlights
The following are just a small selection of the hundreds of wonderful shows in the 2013 program to highlight the diversity of what is on offer in each art form category.
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