2025 Fringe Award Winners | Adelaide Fringe - 21 February - 23 March 2025

2025 Adelaide Fringe Award Winners

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Weekly Award Winners!

The Adelaide Fringe awards are given to acknowledge outstanding events presented within the Adelaide Fringe program, judged by a panel of arts industry leaders and arts lovers.

Best of Cabaret, supported by The List

Bisexual Intellectuals

Three young women laughing and embracing against a gradient background that transitions from pink to blue. One woman wears a denim jacket, another a fluffy lilac top, and the third has platinum blonde hair with heart-shaped earrings. They appear joyful and playful, interacting closely.

Adore Händel’s Little Black Book

A performer dressed in an extravagant 18th-century-inspired pink and silver outfit poses dramatically against a bold red background. They wear a towering white wig, theatrical makeup with dark eyes and bright pink lips, and frilly lace cuffs. Their mouth is open in a playful, exaggerated expression.

An Evening Without Kate Bush

A performer dressed in a black leotard, tutu, and black tights is captured mid-jump against a plain white background. They wear a wild black wig with spiky, feather-like extensions and have dramatic makeup with dark eyes and red lips. Their arms are outstretched, and they gaze intensely forward, evoking a sense of movement and theatrical energy.

Hans: Young, Fun & 21

Sparkly performer in a colourful sequinned outfit and purple hat, holding a birthday cake, surrounded by pastel balloons.

Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy

Scout Boxall - God's Favourite

Person with short, curly mullet and glasses, wearing a black top, staring seriously at the camera.

Anisa Nandaula - 'You can't say that'

Person in a red sweater holding their long ponytail, smiling against a pink background.

Kirsty Mann: Skeletons

A person with long hair wearing an orange garment stands in front of a blue textured background, looking to the side.

Brett Blake - Little Turd

A bearded man in a tie cheerfully holding a bottle of beer that's on fire as an arm tries to punch him

Best of Circus

A person in a royal blue outfit sits confidently on a throne made of seated figures, with vibrant pink lights illuminating the scene.

A dramatic scene featuring individuals in colorful costumes with creative masks, set against a vibrant backdrop of feathers and hues.

Best of Community Events

Kaurna Day 2025 - Tirkanthi - Ngutu - Taikurrinthi

A child's arm displaying body paint featuring the text "Kaurna Day" along with colorful Indigenous patterns.

Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA

Bandaluzia Flamenco with Teresa Hernández (Spain)

Two flamenco dancers in vibrant dresses perform passionately, while a guitarist and percussionist accompany them in the background.

Best of Film & Digital, supported by kwpx

The Great Solar System Adventure: Full Dome Experience

A vibrant carnival-themed sign reads "The Great Solar System Adventure!" inside a grand, illuminated atrium.

HITCHCOCK'S TROPES

A grid of nine black and white icons depicting an eye, knife, rope, handcuffs, cash, lighter, gun, keys, and a dove.

Best of Interactive, supported by kwpx

You Can't Handle The Truth, Can You?

A person sitting against a dark background, wearing a patterned shirt, with a contemplative posture and hands resting on their knees.

Best of Kids & Family, supported by Wallis Cinema

The Farmy Farm

Two joyful individuals in colorful shirts and shorts jump mid-air, wearing hats, against a vibrant farm background.

The Glow Squad Show

A vibrant space-themed poster featuring four performers in colorful outfits, surrounded by planets, musical instruments, and the title "The Glow Squad."

Best of Magic

Charlie Caper - Magical

A person in a vintage outfit holds a black hat, surrounded by atmospheric smoke against a dark background.

Stuart Lightbody's Magical Hands and Magical Feats

A person in a black shirt holds a wooden mannequin hand against their face, with a backdrop of rich, golden curtains.

Best of Music, supported by Musicorp Australia

This Old Cello Box

A musician sits on a stool in a spotlight, playing a cello, wearing a white shirt and black pants, surrounded by darkness.

In Contrast - Classical Saxophone Recital

A classical music ensemble performs on stage, featuring a conductor and musicians with various instruments under dramatic lighting.

Charles Jenkins

A man wearing a black hat and a floral patterned shirt, dressed in a black blazer, standing in a dimly lit setting.

Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA

Help! I Think I'm a Nationalist

A shirtless man in a yellow and black tartan kilt looks shocked, hands on his head. A dark jacket hangs behind him. He has a moustache and wide, surprised eyes.

A person in colourful, patterned clothing and dramatic white face paint with dark eyes and lips sits in a playground at night, surrounded by scattered toys, creating an eerie yet playful scene.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence

A netball team in pink uniforms stands on an outdoor court at night, arms crossed. Two players in the front, one holding a ball, stare confidently ahead under bright stadium lights.

A man with a banjo and a woman with a violin stand against a green backdrop. “Macbeth: The Barden Party” is displayed above, with festival winner laurels from Adelaide and Dunedin Fringe.

Best of Variety, supported by Hither & Yon

A performer in a fiery red costume with dramatic wings stands with arms raised, holding a large flaming structure. Her intense gaze and glowing fire create a striking, theatrical scene.

Adult Bubble Show

Two performers in revealing outfits pose inside a giant iridescent bubble against a dark background. The bold, neon title “Adult Bubble Show” appears above them in a playful, eye-catching font.

A tin can with a plain white label reads “FREE SOUP” in bold, black handwriting. It sits against a bright pink background, creating a simple yet intriguing visual contrast.

Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom

John Pedder: Woodblock Prints

A grid of abstract black symbols, each containing colourful circular shapes, is set against a textured white background. The intricate design creates a visually striking and patterned composition.

A woman with grey-streaked hair, wearing a dark hoodie, holds a textured white object in her hands. She looks down thoughtfully, standing against an earthy brown background.

Best of Workshop & Talks

Creating Botanical Themed Pottery Art Plates

A collection of handmade ceramic plates with delicate pressed flower designs is arranged on soft fabric. The organic shapes and botanical patterns create a natural, artistic aesthetic.

CASEFILE PRESENTS Criminal Conversations with Vikki Petraitis & Emily Webb

Three Polaroid-style photos overlay a dark cobblestone background. One shows a shadowed silhouette labeled "Anonymous Casefile Host," while the others feature Vikki Petraitis and Emily Webb in monochrome portraits.

Emerging Artist

Nick Robertson: Everything That Happened At Number 68

A smiling person with curly red hair, glasses, and a moustache sits cross-legged on outdoor cushions. Dressed in denim, they relax in a cosy setting with plants and patterned pillows.

Pick of the Week, supported by Nature Foundation

Elf Lyons: Horses

A woman in a black outfit and horned headpiece holds a red apple and a toy horse on a stick. The vintage-style image has a bold red and yellow background.

Spirit of the Fringe

Libby Trainor Parker

A woman with vintage blonde curls wears a flowing red gown with dramatic sleeves. She poses with a surprised expression against a bright pink background, creating a bold, theatrical look.

Cultural Diversity Award, supported by Australian Refugee Association

A young woman with pink-tipped hair sits on a cushion in a wood-paneled room. A torn photograph of an older woman in a floral jumper is overlaid, creating a nostalgic, reflective scene.

Adelaide Critics Circle Award

Ten Thousand Hours

A sequence of a man mid-jump is shown in rainbow-coloured stages against a black background. The vibrant gradient effect captures movement and progression in a dynamic visual style.

Best of Street Award, supported by Dolphin Creative

A person in dramatic black tulle gazes intently at a reflective glass sphere, their fingers gently touching it. The moody lighting creates a mysterious, ethereal atmosphere.

Guildhouse Award

Object Permanence

A small child’s hand reaches for a wind-up chattering teeth toy on a bright orange background. The playful, minimalistic image captures curiosity and movement.

Best of Cabaret, supported by The List

Late to the Party: The ADHD Hour

"Late to the Party: The ADHD Hour" colorful graphic with bold pink, yellow, and blue text, floral decorations, and a dark background.

Accordion Ryan's Pop Bangers

A lively performer with long curly hair plays an accordion while holding a patterned umbrella, wearing a colorful shirt and jeans against a dark background.

Gemma Caruana: Underwire

A performer in a black top and orange patterned pants stands on stage, one arm raised, smiling confidently under stage lighting with an audience watching.

A black-and-white portrait of a woman in lingerie, wrapped in a measuring tape, gazing confidently with hands clasped, against a plain background.

Best of Circus

Cartoooon!!

A vibrant circus-style poster featuring two energetic performers in colorful outfits, with exaggerated expressions, dynamic poses, and bold text reading "Cartoooon!!" in English and Japanese.

NIGHTRUNNER

A futuristic figure in glowing blue cybernetic attire wears a VR-style visor, with digital light patterns and cables extending from their head, set against a dark background.

YOAH

A dramatic poster for "YOAH" by Cirquework, featuring a central intense gaze, acrobats performing mid-air stunts, and a large moon backdrop, promoting an Adelaide Fringe show.

Best of Comedy, supported by Adelaide Comedy

Aidan Jones - Chopin's Nocturne

A stylised yellow and black poster featuring a bearded man in a striped shirt sitting by a piano with sheet music, promoting "Chopin’s Nocturne" by Aidan Jones.

Bron Lewis - 'Who's Talking?!'

A woman with red hair stands confidently in front of a whiteboard, wearing a striped shirt, blue lanyard, and keys, promoting Bron Lewis' show "Who's Talking?".

Pixie & Friends Queen of the Dessert

A vibrant poster for "Pixie & Friends: Queen of the Dessert" featuring drag performer Pixie Polite, a pink dessert-themed backdrop, and tour details for Adelaide Fringe 2025.

Garry Starr - Classic Penguins

A surreal promotional image for "Garry Starr - Classic Penguins," featuring a man with a penguin's lower body, flipper arms, a ruffled collar, and a confident expression.

Best of Community Events

Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour

A group of people gathers on a city sidewalk for the "Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour," listening to a guide amid urban architecture and historic buildings.

Amplifii Music Festival

Best of Dance, supported by TAFE SA

Woman in the Dunes

A performer in a flowing, translucent golden garment moves expressively against a dark background, evoking emotion and fluidity.

A performer in a bookstore reaches for a floating book as pages and papers swirl around, creating a magical and surreal atmosphere.

Best of Eat & Drink

Welcome to Carnevale at WEA

A smiling man with short dark hair and a beard leans on a kitchen counter, resting his chin on his hand. He wears a light blue shirt and a white apron with "WEA" printed on it. Behind him, a wooden kitchen setup with ovens and stovetops is visible.

Best of Film & Digital, supported by kwpx

The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History

A view of Earth from space, with Australia prominently visible. The continent appears reddish-brown, surrounded by swirling white clouds and deep blue oceans, set against the blackness of space.

Best of Interactive, supported by kwpx

Karate Man - A Live-Action Video Game

Two martial artists engaged in a dynamic action scene, mid-fight. One performer delivers a high kick to the other’s chest, both wearing loose, battle-worn clothing. The scene is lit with dramatic blue, purple, and red lighting, adding to the intense, video game-like atmosphere.

Adelaide Gaol Escape Cells

Two young women sit on a simple prison-style bed inside a small, sparsely furnished cell. The room has a concrete floor, a barred yellow gate, and posters on the walls, giving it a historical or immersive experience feel. The open doorway provides a glimpse of the outside, contrasting the confined space within.

Best of Magic

Suhani Shah - Spellbound

A black-and-white portrait of a woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a stylish white blazer. She has a confident expression with a slight smile and gazes directly into the camera. The monochrome aesthetic highlights the contrast and texture of her hair and clothing.

Diary of a Magician: Year One

A magician dressed in a dark suit performs a card flourish against a black background. The motion blur of the cascading cards adds a dynamic effect, highlighting his sleight of hand and precision. His focused expression enhances the sense of mystery and skill.

Best of Kids & Family, supported by Wallis Cinema

Academy of Magic

A majestic barn owl soars through the air, carrying a vintage airmail envelope in its talons. Its wings are fully extended, showcasing intricate feather details. The background features a tranquil lake reflecting a pastel-colored sky, with a church steeple and misty mountains in the distance, creating a dreamy, magical atmosphere.

All Star Circus

A vibrant circus poster featuring the text "All Star Circus" in bold, illuminated letters against a bright pink and yellow background. Surrounding the text are dynamic images of acrobats and performers: a female aerialist gracefully suspended in the air, a hula hoop artist mid-performance, and two strongmen executing a hand-balancing act. The energetic design radiates excitement and spectacle.

A colorful and energetic poster for "KABOOM! Explosive Science Show," featuring a wild-haired scientist in goggles, a lab coat, and red gloves holding a bubbling green potion. The background bursts with neon green and blue, with cartoonish science-themed elements like a test tube, a warning sign, and a mysterious purple tentacle. The bold, comic-style lettering emphasizes the excitement and explosive nature of the show.

Best of Music, supported by Musicorp Australia

A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride

A stylish promotional image for "A Friend of Dorothy," featuring a male singer in a shimmering navy-blue tuxedo with a black bow tie, holding a vintage microphone. He has curly dark hair and a charming expression as he looks slightly off-camera. The vibrant pink background contrasts with his formal attire, giving the image a classic yet contemporary feel, reminiscent of old-school cabaret and jazz performances.

Her Story - of the Blues

A watercolor-style illustration depicting a figure walking away into a landscape of rolling green hills under a pastel-colored sky. The person carries a guitar case slung over their back and holds two small suitcases, symbolizing a journey or migration. The loose, expressive brushstrokes and earthy tones evoke themes of travel, music, and storytelling, fitting for "Her Story - of the Blues."

LÂLKA’s Willfire Live: A Music Experience, featuring an immersive VR Game Premiere

A stylish woman with a platinum blonde bob and sleek sunglasses leans confidently on a reflective bar counter. She wears a black dress and a silver bracelet, exuding a cool, mysterious aura. The background features warm red and gold lanterns, casting a moody glow in what appears to be a neon-lit lounge or bar with an Asian-inspired aesthetic. The scene suggests a blend of music, nightlife, and cinematic allure, fitting for "LALKA's Willfire Live."

Zooma Zooma

A retro-inspired promotional graphic for "Zooma Zooma" features two floating, black-and-white male heads smiling against a mid-century modern backdrop. The background is a muted green with a subtle martini glass pattern, while the bold red and yellow typography of "Zooma Zooma" is set against a dynamic, angular shape. A small musical note icon suggests a lively, jazz or swing-inspired performance. The design exudes a vintage, fun, and energetic vibe.

Best of Theatre & Physical Theatre, supported by TAFE SA

A theatrical performer dressed in an elaborate costume resembling a bird, possibly a chicken, stands in dramatic lighting. The costume features gold sequined fabric with long fringe details, a red headpiece adorned with intricate patterns, and bold red face paint accentuating the eyes. The performer's intense expression and upward gaze add to the dramatic and mysterious atmosphere of the scene.

One of These Things First

This image features three floating heads against a bright green background. Each face has a unique, colorful doodle over it—one with a pink lightning bolt, another with a blue hat-like shape, and the third with an orange mustache and pipe. The playful and surreal aesthetic suggests a creative or comedic performance.

prometheus.

This image shows multiple hands intertwined with red and orange strings, symbolizing connection, entanglement, or fate. The composition suggests themes of relationships, destiny, or struggle, which could relate to the myth of Prometheus, depending on the context of its use.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Ar** For England

A man wearing a blue bucket hat and an England football jersey stands on stage with his arms outstretched, holding an England flag scarf behind his head. He has an enthusiastic expression. The backdrop is covered in multiple overlapping England flags, creating a layered effect. The lighting highlights the performer, giving the scene a dramatic and energetic feel.

Best of Variety, supported by Hither & Yon

King of More: Veza

A bearded performer with a joyful expression poses against a bright purple background. They wear bold, colourful makeup with exaggerated eyebrows and vibrant eyeshadow. Their head is adorned with a crown made of multicoloured balls of yarn. They are dressed in a dark blue, semi-transparent, sparkly top with studded details. Their hands are raised near their face in an expressive and playful gesture.

The LadyBoys of Bangkok

Best of Visual Arts & Design, supported by Visualcom

This is all Human made - an exhibition by Squish Squash

A digital illustration of two glowing purple hands reaching towards each other, surrounded by floating stars, clouds, and abstract shapes in soft pastel colours. A flowing ribbon-like element weaves through the fingers, connecting the magical symbols. The background fades from deep blue to warm golden light, creating an ethereal atmosphere. At the bottom, the text reads, "this is all human made." in a mix of lowercase and bold font, emphasising the theme of human creativity and wonder.

Best of Workshop & Talks

Silver-clay: A Jewellery Making Experience

A close-up photograph of a hand holding five silver rings, each adorned with colourful gemstones in various shapes and sizes. The rings have a handcrafted, organic design, with slightly irregular settings that give them a unique, artistic feel. The gemstones include shades of blue, pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple, catching the light beautifully. The blurred background consists of earthy greens and browns, suggesting an outdoor setting.

Let's Batik

A woman with long dark hair and a bright smile holds up a large piece of batik fabric with both hands. The fabric has a rich blend of purple and blue hues, decorated with white floral and leaf patterns. She is wearing a black dress with white vertical stripes and a single grey glove on one hand. The setting is an indoor space with a blue carpet and colourful posters on the walls, suggesting a workshop or creative event.

Emerging Artist

Charlee Watt (Beating up the Beatles)

A performer with platinum blonde curls, dramatic makeup, and a red headband smiles joyfully while holding a vintage microphone in one hand and a cocktail glass with a bright red drink in the other. She wears a black polka-dot top, a black textured shrug, and high-waisted black pants. Her bold red lipstick and expressive pose exude confidence and a cabaret-style charm. The background is a simple off-white, making her the vibrant focal point.

Fully Charged (Business and Pleasure)

Four young adults dressed in oversized business suits pose seriously on a children's playground. The group consists of three men and one woman, all wearing ties and blazers, with expressions of intense focus. One man crouches in the foreground, resting his chin on his hand, while the others stand or kneel around him. The playground features a slide and climbing equipment in the background, contrasting the formal attire with a playful setting. The ground is covered in wood chips, adding to the surreal juxtaposition.

Adelaide Critics Circle Award

Shellshocked - An Explosive New Play

An elderly artist wearing a paint-splattered jumpsuit stands in a dimly lit studio, painting a realistic portrait of a young soldier in an old-fashioned military uniform. The soldier, depicted on the canvas, has a solemn expression, wearing a khaki hat and a cross-body strap. Behind the artist, a tattered flag with a red cross hangs on the wall, adding a sense of history and reverence to the scene. The painting is highly detailed, blending seamlessly with the sombre atmosphere of the workspace.

Best of Street Award, supported by Dolphin Creative

The Cate Great Show!

A female street performer balances on two handstand canes, extending her legs in a dynamic pose. She wears a red vest over a black outfit with black and white striped sleeves. Her expression is focused and joyful. A crowd of onlookers, dressed casually, watches her performance against a backdrop of modern buildings with large windows. The outdoor setting and bright daylight highlight the energy of the act.

Guildhouse Award

A stylised illustration of a maneki-neko, or lucky cat, with a grey body, red ears, and a gold coin featuring black Japanese characters. Unlike the traditional beckoning pose, this cat raises its right paw to give the middle finger. The design has a painterly texture with subtle shading, and a pink outline surrounds the cat against a plain white background. The artwork blends traditional symbolism with a rebellious, contemporary twist.

Cultural Diversity Award, supported by Australian Refugee Association

A digital map displaying a route marked in red, starting from Hong Kong and travelling southwest through Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, and Hainan Island before reaching a final destination near Huế, Vietnam. The route appears to cross both land and water, with a loop around Hainan Island. A red location pin is placed near Huế. The map includes major cities and geographical features, with landmasses in light green and bodies of water in blue.

Pick of the Week, supported by Nature Foundation

Thunderstruck: A Night of Classic Rock

A promotional poster for "Thunderstruck: A Night of Classic Rock" presented by Blue Violin. The image features a dramatic scene with a male violinist playing while pointing his bow towards a woman who appears ethereal, with glowing white eyes and energy flowing from her hands. Lightning bolts crackle in the background, adding to the electrifying atmosphere. The title "Thunderstruck" is written in bold, glowing script at the top, with the subtitle in a smaller, elegant font below. The overall colour scheme is dark with contrasting bright energy effects.

Spirit of the Fringe

Tracy Crisp

A woman with long brown hair, round glasses, and a contemplative expression stands under stage lighting, holding a string of pearls in her hands. She wears a patterned sleeveless dress and a statement ring on her left hand. The background is dark with twinkling golden lights, creating a theatrical atmosphere.

Thank You

Thank You To Our Awards Partners: Adelaide Comedy, Adelaide Critics Circle, Adelaide Festival Centre, Arts South Australia, Australian Refugee Association, BankSA, Carclew, Dolphin Creative, Fiji Fringe, Frank Ford AM Bequest, FRINGE WORLD Festival, Graham F Smith Peace Foundation, Guildhouse, Hither & Yon, Holden Street Theatres, Hollywood Fringe, House of Oz - Georgie Black, Inspiring South Australian, KOJO, kwpx, Leslie Thompson, Lumo Energy, Mary Walker OAM & John Walker, Matt Tarrant, Melbourne Fringe, MILKE, mindshare, Musicorp Australia, Nature Foundation, NZ Fringe Festival, Office of the Mental Health Commissioner of South Australia, Ray and Conrad Henley-Calvert, Sarah Rohrsheim, Svigos & Dimond Families, Sydney Fringe Festival, TAFE SA, The List, Theatre Network Australia, Visualcom, and Wallis Cinema.