Adelaide Fringe show the Inflatable Church has been damaged by a knife-wielding man

An unusual knife attack in the CBD on Friday has left holes in an debut Fringe show favourite.

A favourite debut Fringe show – The Inflatable Church – has become a victim of an unusual slashing attack while hosting a wedding ceremony for a large group of visitors.

On Friday about 6.30pm, the inflatable church was cut by a man using a kitchen knife.

The wedding DJ, Filip Odzak, said he had noticed a man in a black hoodie hitting the venue’s airconditioning unit and pulling down nearby fencing about 20 minutes before the attack.

“Then later when I saw the ceiling coming down on me as it started to deflate, I grabbed the valuables around me and ran out – and there he was again. This time I wasn’t gonna let the thug get free,” said Mr Odzak, who showed no fear and ran after him.

“The more I chased him the faster he ran from me. I had no idea he had a knife on him and to be honest I wouldn’t have cared. I’m sick of vandalism and bludgers attacking hard working small businesses.

“He bolted into a building and I kept watch on it so he couldn’t escape till the cops arrived.”

The directors of the Inflatable Church immersive performance Tristram Shackerley-Bennett and Tamara Jones said the attack was “really quite frightening” for those involved.

The Inflatable Church is an immersive show with the goal of marrying 12 couples a day throughout the Fringe season. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

A man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly vandalised the inflatable church with a knife. Picture: Antimo Iannella

Mr Shackerley-Bennett revealed the church was holding a wedding at the time of the attacks, with about 25 people standing inside the venue.

He said the moment of the attack was “bizarre” due to the contrast between the shouting outside and the romantic wedding inside.

“As the guy stabbed the church, the vicar was just about to pronounce the couple husband and wife and say ‘you may kiss the bride,’ and by that point the music had also started swelling,” Mr Shackerley-Bennett told The Advertiser.

“It was quite bizarre when they saw the church start collapsing on itself as the couple was brought together in unholy matrimony.”

Mr Shackerley-Bennett said Mr Odzak was the hero of the hour.

DJ Filip Odzak

“He jumped out of the church window with his laptop in hand and chased the attacker through Light Square,” he said.

“Filip didn’t know the man had a knife in his hand when he started chasing him but at some point when they were running, the man threw the knife on the ground and that’s when Filip stopped.”

A man has been arrested after he allegedly attacked the inflatable church with a knife. Photos courtesy of Filip Odzak

A man has been arrested after he allegedly attacked the inflatable church with a knife Photos courtesy of Filip Odzak

A few of the venue workers felt distraught after the knife attack and they went home.

Meanwhile, the remaining performers stayed back to repair the church, using gaffer tape, in preparation for their next couple to wed.

The church was inflated and back up and running on Saturday but devastated organisers say the damage is “quite extensive”.

They have started a $10,000 GoFundMe to help fix the church, which was made in Europe and may need to be returned to its manufacturer in Romania to be properly repaired.

Police were called to search the area and they were able to locate the suspect.

They arrested a 20-year-old Adelaide man and charged him with property damage and possessing a knife in a public place.

The man was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

To donate to the GoFundMe, visit here.