Current Issue #488

Off the Beaten Track: Fascinating Festival Season Shows in Unexpected Venues

Off the Beaten Track: Fascinating Festival Season Shows in Unexpected Venues

While festival season draws the public eye to the ‘hubs’ that host dozens if not hundreds of events, there are plenty of shows held in unexpected spaces across Adelaide. Here’s a selection of performances in odd and interesting spots across the city.

The Hilton Hotel – Intimate Space

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Head to the Hilton but not for a meal or an overnight stay with Restless Dance’s Intimate Space. A number of different rooms in The Hilton Hotel will be used as backdrops for this Adelaide Festival dance theatre show by the local dance company including the bar and loading dock.

Intimate Space
The Hilton Hotel
Friday, March 3 until Sunday, March 19
Tickets via: adelaidefestival.com.au

Anstey Hill Quarry – Secret River

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The Adelaide Festival returns to Anstey Hill Quarry after nearly three decades to stage the theatre adaptation of Kate Grenville’s The Secret River. Performed in an outdoor amphitheatre situated at the quarry, this is anticipated to be a unique highlight of the Festival.

The Secret River
The Quarry, Anstey Hill Recreation Park
Tuesday, February 28 until Sunday, March 19
Tickets via: adelaidefestival.com.au

Old Adelaide Treasury Tunnels – Various Shows

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Having hosted a variety of shows over the years, these historic tunnels below Adina Hotel, boast a massive line-up in 2017. A few shows have already finished their run here, but the modern Othello adaptation Altar Girl and intensely personal drama 19 Weeks are yet to finish their seasons.

Altar Girl
Old Adelaide Treasury Tunnels, Adina Apartments
Tuesday, March 7 until Saturday, March 11
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

19 Weeks
Old Adelaide Treasury Tunnels, Adina Apartments
Tuesday, March 1 until Saturday, March 18
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

Station Underground – Trainspotting

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With walls decorated with graffiti and the clever use of lighting, the station underground perfectly encapsulates the grittiness of Trainspotting. The first minutes of this critically acclaimed show will make you feel like you’re in a real underground rave.

Trainspotting
Station Underground
Continues until Sunday, March 19
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

St Peter’s Cathedral – The Devil’s Passion

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St Peter’s Cathedral is opening their doors to this dark and site-appropriate story of conflict between the prodigal son Jesus Christ, and scourge of the Christian faith, Satan. With a script from Justin Butcher and direction from Guy Masterson, this should be a spine-tingling performance.

The Devil’s Passion
St Peter’s Cathedral, King William Road, North Adelaide
Tuesday, March 7 until Saturday, March 11
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

Adelaide Airport – Various Shows

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(photo: Trentino Priori)

With so many artists flying in for the Fringe, there are even opportunities to see them at the airport. If you happen to be flying in (or out) on a Friday afternoon, you may well spot some talked-about talent including magician Paul Dabek or Cabaret queen Anya Anastasia performing in the lounge.

Fringe at Adelaide Airport
1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport
Friday, March 3 and Friday, March 10
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

Adelaide Planetarium – Coral: Rekindling Venus

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If you’re looking for something visually arresting and out of this world this festival season,  Coral: Rekindling Venus at the Adelaide Planetarium is for you. Promising to engulf your senses with alien images from under the sea, Coral is also supported with music by Max Richter, Gurrumul and Anohni.

Coral: Rekindling Venus
The Adelaide Planetarium
Monday, March 6 until Sunday, March 19
Tickets via: adelaidefestival.com.au

The Popeye – The Pirates of Penzance

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Here’s one for the kids. This adaptation of The Pirates of Penance will take place on an actual body of water, as performing pirates immerse the young audience in an adventure of hilarious and aquatic proportions.

The Pirates of Penzance
River Torrens, Elder Park
Monday, March 13 until Sunday, March 19
Tickets via: adelaidefringe.com.au

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