One of South Australia’s most influential names in the arts, Joanne Hartstone is proudly celebrating her 20th year as an Adelaide Fringe artist and producer.
To mark the occasion Joanne’s company, Joanne Hartstone Presents, has released a 2026 program that firmly solidifies her position as one of Fringe’s most long-standing and respected creative minds.
Over the last two decades Joanne has championed independent theatre in South Australia showcasing international acts on the Adelaide Fringe stage. Joanne’s extraordinary multi award-winning curated Fringe seasons have set a strong benchmark for the industry and audiences alike.
“I am immensely proud to be a product of South Australia – of the Festival State – and to be marking twenty years in the Adelaide Fringe eco-system. As an independent artist, producer and theatre maker I am grateful for the privilege of working with world-class artists and venues and creating exceptional experiences for audiences,” Joanne Hartstone says.
The celebratory program has been curated by Joanne and includes eight shows across four venues and showcases the best of international theatre, immersive experiences, spoken word, and kids & family entertainment.
Joanne’s line-up includes the return of Wright&Grainger’s acclaimed ORPHEUS, a powerful show that has previously captured Adelaide audiences with its passionate storytelling, beauty and music. 2026 sees ORPHEUS paired with its sister-show EURYDICE in the stunning setting of the Mortlock Library within the Courtyard of Curiosities hub.
Also at the Courtyard of Curiosities, Wright&Grainger are premiering their brand-new show SELENE in the Yurt. SELENE is a spoken word sibling-pair to their acclaimed HELIOS and is a radical explosion of an ancient myth about the goddess and darkside of the moon.
Sharing the Yurt is the return of award-winning writer and designer Casey Jay Andrews with her acclaimed show The Wild Unfeeling World. First seen in Adelaide in 2020, this reimaging of the Moby Dick fable is tender, furious and fragile.
Created especially for Adelaide Fringe, Feast of Words is the new undertaking by Casey Jay Andrews and composer/collaborator Jack Brett. In the style of a supper club in the Treasury 1860 courtyard, poets, playwrights, authors and musicians pair stories and music with a three- course tasting menu of small, seasonal plates crafted by the Treasury 1860 head chef.
Holden Street Theatres will also play host to the Australian premiere of ‘The Soaking of Vera Shrimp’ from Patch of Blue (the company that brought to Adelaide ‘We Live by The Sea’). This Australian premiere is a poignant and playful solo-show about love, grief and never giving up – and already has a stack of accolades behind it.
Direct from Canada, co-presented by Panic Theatre and supported by Talk is Free Theatre is Cyclops: A Satyr Play. Not a Greek play but an intimate, interactive, queer, techno-pop, fever dream of the night before karaoke, bar fights and all. Performed in the intimacy of Judy’s Room at Holden Street Theatres to a maximum audience of 30 people – this is must-see urgent theatre.
And to round off the season with something for everyone – Kids and families will be delighted to see the award-winning show Meg in the Magic Toyshop is returning to Gluttony. The colourful, vintage-styled musical is a real audience favourite and perfect for young people and their grownups.
According to Joanne Hartstone her 2026 program has been carefully curated to bring to South Australia some of the world’s finest touring shows.
“I have found the best fringe experiences that the world has to offer. It’s now up to audiences to feed themselves with this art and immerse themselves in the remarkable worlds my artists create.”
“I am proud of my long Adelaide Fringe journey and will continue to carve a legacy for the future of the arts in South Australia and beyond. I am so excited to share this season with you all,” says Joanne Hartstone.
For Joanne Hartstone Presents full Adelaide Fringe 2026 program visit:
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringe-lists/joanne-hartstone-presents-2026
