Adelaide Fringe

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:43): I was pleased to hear about the government's recent funding boost for the Adelaide Fringe, ensuring the festival stays affordable and accessible to all, not only for patrons but for the artists themselves, many of whom have scrimped and saved their own money to present a show. I know most do it for the love of performance or artistic expression, and I thank them for their infectious enthusiasm and energy that weaves magic through the streets of Adelaide during Fringe season.

Elena Kirschbaum, the director of Gluttony, was quoted in an ABC article on 24 February as saying, 'I think most of Australia has no idea that one of the best festivals in the world is on their doorstep.' It has been reported that tens of thousands turned out to watch the Fringe opening parade, kicking off another huge celebration and platform for the performing arts. Adelaide hosts the second largest annual arts festival in the world. After busting its own record for the highest ticket sales in an opening weekend, the Adelaide Fringe keeps going from strength to strength. Fringe director, Heather Croall, said on ABC Adelaide:

We've had the biggest ticket selling opening weekend ever, which was a wonderful record to break. The Croquet Club had to move site down to the river but they've had a record opening weekend as well, so I think since they opened the doors they've had about 32,000 people through the site.

Next year, the government will invest an additional $1 million into the festival, $900,000 of which will be put towards reducing the inside charges for ticketed events, allowing more money to flow back to the artists. The remaining 10 per cent will go towards a national marketing campaign, raising awareness interstate of this gem of a festival we host in Adelaide.

The ABC reported that the fiscal benefits of the 2016 Fringe were $77 million in gross economic expenditure. The ABC is already introducing another dimension to the festival's international exposure with the Fringe Fling. The Fringe Fling is a collaboration between ABC Adelaide and BBC Scotland, where BBC Radio Scotland featured two special live broadcasts. These broadcasts brought a bit of the Adelaide Fringe to the ears of Scotland, as well as its Australian audience. The presentation by Sonia Feldhoff and Janice Forsyth included live music, comedy, performance and conversations with various artists on 20 and 21 February.

The Adelaide Fringe is a wonderful opportunity for both local and visiting performers, as well as their audiences. Flinders University creative arts graduate, writer and director, Matthew Cropley, was mentioned by Sophie Perri in Adelaidenow as saying:

Fringe is the perfect avenue for attracting audiences outside of the usual theatre crowd and networking with people in the industry.

I am reminded of the importance of a thriving arts scene, of which the Fringe artists are an integral part, by the recent words of Arts SA chief, Peter Louca:

Art has always mobilised across societies and been a vehicle for the exchange of ideas, beliefs and values. Art should be transformative, informative; it should be a commentary and a reflection of our wellbeing. It projects us into a space, emotionally and psychologically.

The Fringe Festival sees children, teens, adults and seniors have the opportunity to enjoy its vast array of offerings, where there is likely something for everyone. I look forward to delving into the delights of what the 2017 Fringe Festival has to offer, knowing that this festival contributes to our social fabric, collective welfare and the economy of this state. Again quoting the Executive Director of Arts SA, Peter Louca:

…having an internationally recognised city isn't just a means for Australian arts patrons to feel connected to a diverse and fully realised world of creativity. It also allows Australian artists to tell our stories to the rest of the world. It's an exchange which is utterly vital to the vibrancy of our local artists and the prestige of those artists on a global stage.

To all who have travelled here, welcome to Adelaide and enjoy our Fringe Festival.