A hand-selected line-up of this country’s most exciting cabaret, comedy and music stars are calling the Queen’s Theatre home this Adelaide Fringe as part of THE QUEENS’ inaugural Fringe season.
Presented by GWB Entertainment in association with Release Creative, THE QUEENS is Adelaide’s newest Fringe destination and will transform one of the city’s oldest and most stunning buildings, the Queen’s Theatre, into a West End Fringe hub.
With a large number of world and South Australian premieres, the program for Adelaide’s newest Fringe venue sparkles with internationally acclaimed cabaret star Ali McGregor’s brand new show A Sweet Beginning, the return of drag legend Carlotta and home-grown singer to the stars, Jo Lawry, while those looking for a laugh will be able to tickle their funny bone with Damian Callinan and Paul Calleja’s hilarious and popular The Wine Bluffs.
THE QUEENS will showcase the best of Adelaide cabaret with shows by Carla Lippis (who is presenting new original works with New Songs for the New World), Amity Dry (who will be singing her personal favourites in intimate mode), the return of Amelia Ryan & Libby O’Donovan’s UNSUNG while cabaret darling Michael Griffiths will be dusting off his treasured LPs to sing his all-time favourites.
Every Friday and Saturday night, THE QUEENS will turn into a late-night after-party with Club Queens, a night where anything goes and everything can happen as a rotating line-up of hosts (such as Hans, Carla Lippis and Amelia Ryan) will lead the hottest cabaret and comedy talents in town for up-late fun and debauchery.
Curators Amelia Ryan and Zac Tyler say, “We’re absolutely thrilled with the lineup we have secured for next year’s Fringe. There is such tremendous talent here in SA and Australia, many of whom we’ve worked with across the Festival circuit, both nationally and abroad. The fact that we’ve been able to program so many of them within our inaugural program is incredibly exciting. We can’t wait to share it!”.
Other shows of note include a brand-new show from vocal powerhouses Mat Verevis, Mark Sholtez and Luke Kennedy, Waiting For John, Prinnie Stevens in Lady Sings the Blues and Debora Krizak’s return to her home-town of Adelaide to present an evening of classic, sassy show tunes, Ssh There’s a Lady On Stage and Carpenters From Kempsey.
Producers Torben & Richelle Brookman say, “We’re thrilled to be able to transform the iconic Queens Theatre into a first-class venue during the Adelaide Fringe and to provide an opportunity for artists to get back on stage and arts professionals working again after an incredibly challenging year for the industry in 2020.”
THE QUEENS will feature an inviting bar and lounge that will host people pre and post show, while the main performance area, The Chamber, will house over 220 seats, including premium tables, theatre style seating and high table options.
Aside from the performances, the premium venue is where people can meet before or after the shows thanks to the inviting bar and lounge foyer which will host a Cellar Door experience in the heart of the city for the Clare Valley region and enjoy cheese boards thanks to Apoteca.
Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 18 via thequeensadelaide.com.au. There will be more announcements to come in January.
THE QUEENS: Fringe at its Finest
February 19 to March 21
Corner of Playhouse Lane and Gilles Arcade, Adelaide
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