Image credit: Tom Kitney
Get your popcorn and choc top ice-creams ready – a drive-in cabaret experience is making its way to Adelaide this December, and it’s shaping up to be the nostalgic night of your dreams.
Meet Xanadu Drive: the part drive-in movie theatre, part live-performance cabaret wonderland set to open to Adelaide audiences at Torrens Parade Grounds this summer.
More than just a drive-in venue; Xanadu Drive-In is a collection of creatives, experienced designers, and entertainment experts creating an immersive cinematic experience.
The brainchild of a multi-award winning creative team featuring the prolific Erin Fowler, Will Spartalis, Lewis Major and Tom Kitney, the new experience offers individuals the chance to relive the best old school films alongside some of the best cabaret performance SA has on offer.
While the drive-in theatre with a twist is scheduled to run during the highly-anticipated 2022 Adelaide Fringe season, the talented team of Xanadu Drive is gifting Adelaidians an early Christmas present this year by bringing eager audiences a double-bill performance this December.
Because who doesn’t love a good Christmas movie? Especially if there’s live performance involved.
December 18 will see the family favourite Christmas classic The Nightmare Before Christmas come alive on screen, followed by a wicked Oogie Boogie’s Bonanza Late Night Xmas Party with an electric DJ and continued festivities.
December 19 will see the holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It’s A Wonderful Life, reimagined, followed by a George Bailey’s Bellringer Bash Late Night Xmas Party.
Alongside the nostalgic screen and cabaret experience, the Xanadu Drive-In will be slinging everyone’s favourite cinema snacks, including popcorn and choc-tops, have a Speakeasy Hotel vintage carven bar and an array of roving performances on the night.
Artist and Co-Creator of the Xanadu Drive-In Erin Fowler says she is excited to be bringing the special feeling of a classic Drive-In to the Torrens Parade Grounds this summer.
“I think everyone has really fond memories of the drive-in, jumping in your car as a family and watching some great films while eating popcorn and choc-tops, and it’s these experiences that we want to capture with the Xanadu Drive-In, but elevate it with live performances from some of Adelaide’s most talented creatives,” says Fowler.
After a turbulent two years as a result of the COVID pandemic, the ongoing effects felt by the creative and arts industry cannot be underestimated.
Employing over 56 artists and workers while providing over 800 hours of employment across the season, Fowler says she is excited to offer local artists an opportunity to be involved in the unique project while helping to re-ignite the sector.
“We’re really proud of our fun idea and can’t wait to see hundreds of smiling faces both at our Christmas showing and our Fringe Season.”
December 18 | A Nightmare Before Christmas + “Oogie Boogie’s Bonanza Late Night Xmas Party”
December 19 | It’s A Wonderful Life + “George Bailey’s Bellringer Bash Late Night Xmas Party”
You can find Xanadu Drive at Torrens Parade Grounds this summer, with the gates opening at 7pm on show nights. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to their website here.
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