So the Adelaide Fringe next year will look a lot different. A lot fewer acts, about 800 it seems compared to the usual 1100. This could mean more audience to see them, they won’t be spread thinly on the ground.. The Garden and RCC will be much smaller, with fewer venues. Does mean less work for some of the techs, hopefully only SA techs will be used in preference to any that travel from interstate to work. Let’s keep it really South Australian, and make it exciting. Audiences may be asked to buy the empty seats to help artists and venues. We will be at 50% capacity at least, though maybe it would be wonderful if this increased. The average 42% of houses are sold. So we just need the public to spend a couple of extra dollars and get it to 50%.

The only thing we don’t want to see is acts trying to underpay their support staff. Especially using the excuse that COVID has made it hard to pay techs etc. It is hard for everybody, but they all need to be paid. This is rare but it does happen. I have been asked to work for nothing as the exposure would do my career good. The answer was NO. I don’t think this artist will be in 2021 Fringe.

We all need to work together and make this a great Fringe. Small does not mean lesser. Let’s make it one too remember for years to come. Let’s tell our friends, family, and workmates to open their wallets and buy a ticket of 2 to see some great Fringe shows and remember the Fringe is all around the city, not just at one or two locations.

Bring on the Fringe and to hell with COVID.