The MUST SEE (BEST) Acts at the Adelaide Fringe 2023

Adelaide will soon be absolutely overflowing with talent with the biggest Adelaide Fringe lineup yet – and this year with over 1000 acts, it’s hard to know who are the MUST SEE Acts of the Adelaide Fringe. I’ve tried to make it easier for you to pick, with the below list of my MUST SEE/BEST ACTS of the Adelaide Fringe in 2023!

Below are just a few of my TOP Acts to see at the Adelaide Fringe in 2023! (There are many more – but only so much time!)

Charlie Caper & Malin Nilsson: More Minor Miracles

Malin Nilsson screaming into a microphone with Charlie Caper in the background dancing with a lamp and lamp shade

If you like: World class magic, performed to perfection

Recommendation: Two of my favourite people on this planet, and two of the most incredibly beautiful performers you will witness this Fringe.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/charlie-caper-malin-nilsson-more-minor-miracles-af2023

Note: You can save $5 off Full Price Tickets with the code “THANKS”!

Hypnotist Matt Hale: Top Fun! 80’s Spectacular

The performer with a bald head, but dressed like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, in a fighter pilot uniform, holding a helmet under one arm, and pumping his other fist, with his mouth open, yelling in excitement.

If you like: Australia’s Best Hypnotist

Recommendation: Imma be legit for a second; I’m not the biggest fan of Hypnosis. BUT I am the absolute biggest fan of Matt Hale and his Hypnotism. He’s the most energetic, hilarious and incredible performer I’ve ever met. If you love Hypno, or aren’t sure; he will bring you the fun.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/hypnotist-matt-hale-top-fun-80-s-spectacular-af2023

Note: You can save $5 off Full Price Tickets with the code “THANKS”!

Matt Tarrant: FATE

Matt Tarrant facing the front with a teal background with white smoke appearing from the bottom and top of the image.

If you like: Self promotion

Recommendation: Sorry; you thought I wasn’t going to mention myself? FATE just picked up an award for Best Cabaret/Variety at FRINGE WORLD Festival; and is appearing for eight nights only. If you love Magic; come check it out!

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/matt-tarrant-fate-af2023

Note: You can save $5 off Full Price Tickets with the code “THANKS”!

TA DA – The Ramblings of a Magician

The Ramblings of a Magician - Sam looks into a violin case with a rabbit poking out

If you like: Charming Magic

Recommendation: Sam is one of my favourite magicians currently, so much so he won my award last year – and he’s back with his show Ta Da (and Tricks and Stuff!); both are seriously wonderful shows from an incredible local performer.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/ta-da-the-ramblings-of-a-magician-af2023

Tickets for Sam’s other show Tricks And Stuff! https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/tricks-and-stuff-af2023

80’s Ladies

Image of a group of women, wearing 80's inspired costumes, are candidly dancing, laughing, skipping rope (with instrument leads) and jumping around. The title of the show "80's Ladies" is in bold neon pink and yellow is up top.

If you like: To Dance and Party

Recommendation: I went and saw Chloe and The Cast last year in their wonderful show Wonderfull (It’s also on again this year!) and we absolutely loved every minute. The Cast are known for being some of the best corporate entertainers in the country, and their Fringe Shows show that absolute quality and fun you’d expect. We’ve already got tickets, and I’m so excited to dance poorly along to the fun!

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/80-s-ladies-af2023

Ben Hart: Live

Ben Hart: Live - A performer with dark hair and green eyes, is sat cross legged with their arms crossed. In his left hand, he holds a wand pointing upwards.

If you like: Magic with Class.

Recommendation: I promise this list isn’t all just magicians, but when there is so much quality magic this year I have to include a lot of it. Is Ben Hart the best magician in the world right now? Quiet possibly. I never thought I’d see him back; but I’m so glad he is – be sure to see him live and in the flesh.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/ben-hart-live-af2023

ROVE MCMANUS – AWESOME SAUCE

ROVE MCMANUS - AWESOME SAUCE - Event image

If you like: Your mum.

Recommendation: Firstly, Rove what the heck is this headshot mate?!? I absolutely grew up with Rove; but I’m most excited to check him out this year and geek out with him all about Survivor and Jeff Probst (did you know they are good mates?) 

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/rove-mcmanus-awesome-sauce-af2023

 

George Glass: Bradbury The Musical

George Glass: Bradbury The Musical - cartoon version of Steven Bradbury on the ice rink at the Olympics with his arms stretched out, behind him are the skaters that have fallen over.

Kym’s Overall Extravaganza Showcase – Volume 3

Kym's Overall Extravaganza Showcase - Volume 3 - Kym Mackenzie Performing in Fringe 2021

If you like: The spirit of the Adelaide Fringe

Recommendation: Kym Mackenzie is a God of the Adelaide Fringe. He’s always at shows, and for the third year he’s back performing in his own.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/kym-s-overall-extravaganza-showcase-volume-3-af2023

 

Laurie Black: Dystopiano

Laurie Black stands on a beach looking moody with her keyboard

If you like: Musical comedy with sick beats

Recommendation: Laurie has been going from strength to strength ever since winning Emerging Artist at the Adelaide Fringe in 2018; she’s only going to get bigger and better as the years go on – see her before you can’t afford to anymore.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/laurie-black-dystopiano-af2023

 

Jeromaia Detto: MUSH

Jeromaia Detto: MUSH - A distorted face is surrounded by small doodles of an airplane, figurine, lightbulb, Eiffel tower and stick figure.

If you like: Wild fun.

Recommendation: If you like absolutely ridiculousness; this is 100% the show for you.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/jeromaia-detto-mush-af2023

 

Ross Noble – Jibber Jabber Jamboree

Ross Noble - Jibber Jabber Jamboree - Image of Ross Noble wearing a black long sleeve button up shirt with his arms crossed, looking at the camera

If you like: The King of Comedy

Recommendation: I was fortunate enough to share a venue with the great man a couple of years ago, and it’s an honour to do it again this year. I pissed him off every night by running a few minutes over and leaving the venue covered in snow. So this is my apology <3 

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/ross-noble-jibber-jabber-jamboree-af2023

 

Shanelle Franklin & Tamara Linke (Motherhood A Beautiful Nightmare): WHAT A SHAM – The Sequel

Shanelle Franklin & Tamara Linke (Motherhood A Beautiful Nightmare): WHAT A SHAM - The Sequel - Shanelle & Tamara lean into each other, smiling into the camera. Both are blonde wearing white Tshirts.

If you like: (or have your moments with) Motherhood.

Recommendation: Grab your friends, a glass of bubbles and strap in for a night of laughs with sketch comedy, chats, and maybe even a singalong. No one is left behind.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/shanelle-franklin-tamara-linke-motherhood-a-beautiful-nightmare-what-a-sham-the-sequel-af2023

GODZ

4 gods posing in different acrobatic positions beneath the word GODZ They are in colourful and bright costumes with a golden tinge.

If you like: Have you seen their bodies?

Recommendation: Please buy all the tickets to Godz before my wife demands I take her along again, COVID has not done wonders on my body and I can’t compete with Cal and his fellow Godz. (It’s also an incredible show)

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/godz-af2023

Wankernomics: Solutionising The Corporate World

Charles Firth and James Schloeffel looking like absolute idiots.

If you like: Telling your friends you’re off to see something called “Wankernomics”

Recommendation: If you’re a fan of The Chaser and The Shovel; this is the comedy show for you this Fringe.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/wankernomics-solutionising-the-corporate-world-af2023

 

EGG

A single woman stands in a white round egg costume. She has white tights on and a white egg shell hat. She is holding a pink flower in her hands and has a sweet, closed lips smile on her face. She is staring straight to camera.

Erin Fowler’s award-winning physical theatre comedy EGG returns to the Fringe.

Single, 32, and with her biological clock ticking, Erin’s eggs – according to a Facebook ad – are “dying off.” For $15k she could freeze them, but are there other options? Does she even want a child? By the time she makes a choice, will it be too late?

Directed by illustrious clown Hew Parham, with sound design by Will Spartalis, EGG is “an intensely personal story that will resonate with many.” – Theatre Travels.

Combining dance, clowning, bagpipes, and a cheeky life-sized egg, EGG questions all things fertility and motherhood in a powerful exploration of how we make the big decisions in life.

If you like: Clowing with a message.

Recommendation: I feel like the best way to describe Egg is simply by the description: “Single, 32, and with her biological clock ticking, Erin’s eggs – according to a Facebook ad – are “dying off.” For $15k she could freeze them, but are there other options? Does she even want a child? By the time she makes a choice, will it be too late? Combining dance, clowning, bagpipes, and a cheeky life-sized egg, EGG questions all things fertility and motherhood in a powerful exploration of how we make the big decisions in life.” If that’s your vibe; and you like Egg costumes this is the show for you.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/egg-af2023

 

The Stripsons

The Stripsons - A drag queen wearing a green dress with orange pearls and large blue hair. Her skin is a bright yellow colour with large exaggerated eye makeup

If you like: Look, I don’t know.

Recommendation: I was so excited when I saw this that I sent it to Kiera in excitement and she immediately replied with “no no no, who is going to this??!?” and I then sheepishly had to remove the tickets from my cart. So um; anyone want to join me?

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-stripsons-af2023

 

The I Hate Children Children’s Show

The I Hate Children Children's Show - The performer is surrounded by unruly children pushing and prodding him one child is poking a magic wand up his nose, they are taking great happiness in taunting him.

Winner of best children’s show is back for another year of kinder kicking comedy!

Your little monsters are the stars of this mad-cap magic show that’s fun for the whole family, as every child is invited onstage to help with the magic.

Starring PAUL DABEK the world’s meanest award-winning magician and world-class child hater, and featuring live music, tons of magic and crazy comedy – this is a show every member of the family can enjoy!

Finally, a show for the family that won’t make parents spit up in their kids sip cup. if you love your children but hate boring kids shows, then you are going to love this top-rating magic show.

If you like: (and hate) Children

Recommendation: Paul Dabek is the absolute greatest, and this is hands-down one of the best Children Shows the Fringe has ever seen. It’s finally back; and will sell fast.

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-i-hate-children-children-s-show-af2023

 

Have you seen any of the above, or have I missed a show that’s at the top of your list?

Let me know and Happy Fringe!

Cheers,
Matt

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