Top 10: Nathan Davies’ hot tips for the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023

Fringe aficionado Nathan Davies knows a good show from the bad – so what tickles his fancy this year? See his Top 10 list.

Australia’s biggest arts festival – the Adelaide Fringe – is underway.

For five weeks, the streets of Adelaide will be alive with lights, camera, action as talent from near and far flocks to the Festival State for shows across comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, visual art, music, interactive, and a new genre for 2023, “Eat & Drink”.

While part of the beauty of the Fringe is hanging out in the Garden of Unearthly Delights (at Rundle Park / Kadlitpina) or Gluttony (at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka) and buying tickets spontaniously, there are some shows not to miss.

Long-time Fringe reviewer Nathan Davies has shared his top 10 picks for 2023 – from a cabaret about endometriosis to an absurdist black comedy, here’s his picks.

1. Penny Arcade: The Art of Becoming: Episode 3 – 1967-1974: Superstar Interrupted

A contemporary of Andy Warhol and Patti Smith, arcade is an icon of the New York underground.

2. Seamen! The Sea Shanty Spectacular

From the surprise smash hit Wellerman to your everyday Viking death poems, this camp Melbourne choir puts the sass back into seafaring.

3. Eric’s Tales of the Sea – A Submariner’s Yarn

Who would have thought the tales of a real-life submariner could be so funny and so moving? Heart-warming stories of mateship, danger and true love underwater.

4. Endo Days

A cabaret about … endometriosis? Libby Trainor is back with her Jarmy Army and a fresh prescription of uterus-related fun.

Libby Trainor Parker in Endo Days. Picture: Nat Rogers

5. 27 Club

Joplin, Winehouse, Hendrix, Morrison, Cobain all died at 27. Carla Lippis, Sarah McLeod, Kevin Mitchell and Dusty Lee Stephenson keep their music alive.

Sarah Mcleod will feature in 27 Club at the Fringe.

6. Horse Country – A Surreal Comedy

Like Laurel and Hardy performing The Dumb Waiter on acid. Apparently. This absurdist black comedy won Best of the Fringe Firsts at Edinburgh and attracted rave reviews.

7. The Garden Sessions

Showcasing some of our best First Nations musicians, The Garden Sessions fires up in the Garden of Unearthly Delights every Saturday night of The Fringe. Featuring Katie Aspel, Vonda Last, Tilly Thomas, Bec Gollan and Hannah Yates.

Vonda Last is pat of the Fringe’s ‘Graden Sessions’.

8. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars

With Kevin Kropinyeri, Sean Choolburra and more behind the mic, this promises to be a thought provoking, very funny night.

Kevin Kropinyeri is part of the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars. Picture: Emily Barker

9. See You

Hot Taiwanese choreographer Lai Hung-Chung presents See You, a non-stop feast of intense, expressive motions inspired by loss, longing and confrontation.

10. Maho Magic Bar

You won’t believe your eyes as a line-up of Japan’s best magicians and sleight-of-hand specialists hits Adelaide.