Taking acts beyond the fringes
Adelaide Fringe
Each year, the Adelaide Fringe brings a taste of its world-class, imaginative performances to regional SA towns and outer suburbs.
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It’s been a lead up like no other.
That’s how Ben Francis describes his four-piece 60s tribute act The 60 Four’s run up to this year’s Fringe Festival.
The group have been at it for about four years, having all met at high school and bonded over a love of The Beatles and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
When they started out, they’d just fill 40-seater venues. At the group’s peak, they were filling auditoriums that would seat 2000 people.
The 22-year-old and his fellow crooners — known as The 60 Four – have just wrapped a slew of shows in Renmark and Kangaroo Island.
“There’s been a number of challenges this year but it’s all worth it once we’re back up on that stage,” Ben says.
“I think SA is ready to be entertained, and I think the Fringe this year, has come at a very good time.
“The music that we play, we tend to attract a demographic that grew up in the 1960s and for a lot of those people they can’t necessarily come to Adelaide, so we’ve always taken the approach that we will bring the Fringe to them.”
The 60 Four is part of the Fringe’s regional program, taking their renditions of hit 1960s songs to regional and outer metropolitan South Australia.
They are among dozens of acts touring as part of the Fringe on Tour, a push to take Fringe performances to the regions.
Over the run of the Fringe, artists travel to Murray Bridge, Victor Harbor, Whyalla, Kingston and Naracoorte to perform for regional audiences.
“At the core of Adelaide Fringe, we want to ensure that the arts is accessible to everybody and touches every corner of the state,” Adelaide Fringe Festival director Heather Croall says.
“It is vital for the outer suburbs and regions to participate as well as host and feel included as part of the program.
“It allows everyone to experience the lively, vibrant and beloved festival in the broader community and regions that is so invaluable to our wellbeing after a challenging two years.”
Some of the other acts looking to wow regional audiences include the Leather Lungs cabaret, a string of comedy acts and even a silent disco in the Riverland.
“There are so many highlights to each of the programs, including the Deadly Nannas in Murray Bridge, Manbo in Kingston, the Naracoorte Fringe Street Party, and Ivan Aristeguieta at River Fringe in Waikerie,” Croall says.
Holden Street Theatres. Photo: Jordan Gollan, Adelaide Fringe 2021
Suburban performing spaces, including the Holden Street Theatres, Parks Theatres and Payinthi, also played an important part in the Fringe’s wider program.
Croall calls the Holden Street Theatre at Hindmarsh an “amazing” space that hosts a “creative and diverse” array of shows, including comedy acts, a cabaret and physical theatre performances.
It’s a bitter-sweet year, as it’s the last time the Bakehouse Theatre in the city will be a Fringe venue ahead of its closure in May.
“Tickets sales are strong – it reflects just how much people are wanting to throw their support behind the arts and get out and about,” she said.
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