Multi-storey reclaimed art deco building ARTHUR (Art House Urban Renewal) is a home for fun and good vibes this Adelaide Fringe season.
Regularly, the venue plays host to many different kinds of events – cabaret, art, science, technology. . . And for Fringe season, it transforms into a comedy and arts club of epic proportions while still offering an authentic 'fringe of the fringe' experience for patrons.
“I've had 20 years' experience in the festival circuit, and so all of these people have been selected because they've either already won awards or been nominated for awards,” ARTHUR Founder and Creative Director Cassandra Tombs says of the venue's line-up.
“[Featuring comedian] Dr. Brown is an internationally-established comedian. So it is definitely not cookie-cutter and definitely not McDonald's. All the acts are quite different. They're all very very creative in their own way. He's the most high profile, but then we've got also old-school classics like Fiona O'Loughlin,” she continues.
It's not all stand-up, either – the offering expands across all different kinds of laughs and entertainment. . . Taking audiences to all different parts of the venue, too.
'Bradbury The Musical'
“We've got some musical comedy with George Glass doing 'Bradbury The Musical' based on the life of Steven Bradbury, the infamous skater. Then we've got 'The Dreamland – Isthmus' which is an immersive show using augmented reality and that's a journey through the upstairs rooms and then in the smaller theatre we've got some absurdist comedy from Ross Purdy.”
“We've got a bit of magic, some tarot card reading. So if you're looking for straight stand-up, then probably don't come to us.”
The whole building is essentially being transformed in order to accommodate the madness of the Fringe. Cassandra believes her years of experience in the industry provide an insight into creating a space that Fringe-goers will come to to not only be entertained, but also to feel a sense of community.
“I would recommend people spend the night at ARTHUR and see a couple of shows in a row. There's so much diversity,” she says. “Come down to ARTHUR, just pick three random shows, three different time slots, and see what happens to your brain.”
ARTHUR is your destination for alternative, award-winning shows this Adelaide Fringe.
