TwentyWINEteen: Adelaide Fringe At The National Wine Centre

The National Wine Centre, 'the home of the nation's wine collection', is set to become a premier Adelaide Fringe destination in 2019 boasting over sixty acts from all over the globe.

Behind this spectacular season are husband and wife team, Ele Stankiewicz and Marcel Blanch- de Wilt. A pair who have been creating shows for the Southern Hemisphere's biggest festival for over ten years.

Having run heritage-listed and cult-favourite venue The Producers Hotel for five festivals it was time for Marcel and Ele to look to new horizons. "It didn't help matters that the venue has closed too," says Marcel, "But it was a good time to move on and the National Wine Centre is a huge upgrade."

The season at the National Wine Centre is set to be as varied as their wine list featuring cabaret, circus, family shows, stand-up, theatre, sketch, improv and more from all over the globe. "It's about having all of the Fringe under one roof," says Ele. "Air-conditioned and completely accessible too."

Behind the scenes, the bulk of the work is carried out by the artist couple who are performers and teachers outside of Fringe time. Putting in work after hours in evenings, on weekends, whenever they can, all to make sure the line-up of artists is looked after. "It's a beautiful, upscale venue but this is very much an independent operation. We make it work because we love the end result. We'll certainly have earned a wine or two come our launch party on February 14th."

Notable names include Tim Ferguson (The Doug Anthony Allstars), the sold-out hit of Melbourne Comedy Festival, Aborigi-lol (featuring rising star Dane Simpson as seen on Channel 10's Have You Been Paying Attention) as well as a completely improvised Sherlock Holmes mystery, and a seriously intriguing mash-up of Elvis and Sam Raimi's horror classic in The Elvis Dead by UK comedian Ross Kemp.

Jason Bird, the new General Manager of the National Wine Centre hopes everyone that visits will have a great night out. "It's going to be a really fun environment, the Fringe is one of the best times of the year, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone."

Venue: National Wine Centre, Hackney Rd & Botanic Rd, Adelaide
Dates: Thursday 14 Feb - Sunday 17 March
Times: From 5pm weeknights, matinees on weekends. Check the guide.
Full program: Adelaide Fringe Website
Tickets: Adelaide Fringe Website, Adelaide Fringe box-office or at the door
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/fringeatthenwc/

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