They say good things come in threes, and this is certainly the case when it comes to Adelaide Fringe’s Ambassador line-up for 2017. For the first time, Australia’s largest arts festival will have not one but three talented artists promoting the event to national and international audiences.
They include Adelaide-born actor, musician and television presenter Hugh Sheridan, who rose to fame in Seven Network’s Packed to the Rafters and will join Nine Network’s House Husbands next season. Sheridan said the Adelaide Fringe was an important platform for artists to attract audiences and test exciting new work.
“I’ve always been a fan of Adelaide Fringe. It’s such a vital part of this city’s arts culture,” he said. “But it wasn’t until I premiered California Crooners Club at this year’s Fringe that I realised just how much it supports artists and gives a wide range of performers their chance to shine.”
Visual artist James Cochran (aka Jimmy C) will also return to the city he once called home as an Adelaide Fringe Ambassador in 2017. Cochran attracted worldwide attention earlier this year for his mural of the late David Bowie on a wall in London and will work closely with local street artists for Adelaide Fringe’s Street Art Explosion program next year.
Rounding out the trio of ambassadors is New York’s Adrienne Truscott, who has 15 years experience as a choreographer, circus acrobat, dancer, writer and comedian. Truscott has been a regular at Adelaide Fringe since 2009 and is one half of the vaudevillian burlesque duo The Wau Wau Sisters.
Adelaide Fringe Artistic Director and CEO Heather Croall said the ambassador shakeup was just one of many exciting changes for next year’s festival. “The 2016 Adelaide Fringe was our best yet, and we want to build on its growing success,” said Ms Croall.
“We have a new partnership with the world’s biggest festival city, Edinburgh, plus the UK’s largest ticketing company, Red61, will use digital technology to help streamline and integrate the way all groups connect with the event.”
“We can’t wait to reveal more exciting plans in the next few months and the official program on 2 December,” added Ms Croall.
The 2017 Adelaide Fringe runs from 17 February until 19 March. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Adrienne Truscott, Hugh Sheridan and James Cochran (supplied)