Adelaide Fringe festival boosts local theatre ticket sales despite ongoing industry challenges

The Adelaide Fringe festival has begun, providing a temporary boost to local theatres. However, independent arts venues face challenges after the festival ends, with audience numbers down to about 60 percent due to rising living costs. The cancellation of the Broadway musical "Dear Evan Hansen" in Adelaide highlights ongoing struggles in the arts sector. Ticket sales have lagged, prompting concerns about audience engagement in South Australia. In contrast, the Adelaide Fringe reports a 15 percent increase in ticket sales compared to last year, with over 314,500 tickets sold. Organizers attribute this success to affordable pricing and effective marketing strategies.