The Josh Haberfield guide to the Adelaide Fringe
In 2026, the Adelaide Fringe guide is an intimidating 176-pages long. Who has the time? Dear reader, certainly not you. Instead, let Josh Haberfield, one of the stars of the UK’s Earnest…? guide you through the festival season, with his must-stop places in Adelaide.
CM: How many times have you performed at the Adelaide Fringe?
This is our first time here – Adelaide is basically our international debut and the first time we’ve taken the show to the southern hemisphere. We’re having an absolute blast. It’s so refreshing to see the people (and the critics) get what this show’s all about. We’ve felt so welcomed by the people of Adelaide, especially our local caffeine fixers at Cafetel Coffee Roasters, which luckily for us is on our doorstep (Kent Town).
What’s a misconception you had about Adelaide before you came here?
We heard that the town is a little sleepy. But that isn’t the case at all – at least in the three weeks we’ve spent here! If you find the right spots you can have such a good time. It’s also really beautiful and clean, which for a town hosting a few festivals is so impressive. Also, a few of us in …Earnest? paddleboard, so to be able to head to the beach at Brighton (or up around Port Adelaide) for a paddle before a show is quite special.
When touring the UK, I get out on the water as much as possible as I’ve always found it a great way let your mind focus on something else other than the show for a bit – and when you come back to land you feel refreshed and ready to smash the show that night, only here, you can do it in the sun!
What’s special about the Fringe compared to other events in Australia?
Adelaide Fringe feels so friendly and relaxed. Everyone is up for having a brilliant time and that’s an infectious energy. It’s our first time in Adelaide, but we have done five Edinburgh Fringes, and compared to Edinburgh, Adelaide is a tighter network of people working at the fringe.
It’s so awesome that on a Sunday night we all gather at the artist bar for a catch up on how everyone’s weeks have been and enjoy a few drinks, and dare I say, sometimes even a boogie! This isn’t just artists but everyone who makes the whole fringe run, technicians, front of house staff, artist liaison teams, so yeah, it’s really great to all mix together.
When you’re in Adelaide, where do you like to go for a drink?
The Austral, Little Bang Brewing and The Exeter (it’s always open after we’ve finished) are our go-tos – all these places have the essentials for a group of actors and creatives to kick back and chat. We all love sitting outside as this is quite a novelty for us living in the UK this time of year!
What about a nice dinner?
Laneway Social or Pan and Vine. Get the steak frites and a glass of the Villain and Vixen Shiraz at Laneway. Pan and Vine is the spot for top-notch pizza.
How do you deal with hecklers?
With joy! They always provide a chance to flex our improv muscle! At its heart, …Earnest? Is all about celebrating the audience and making them the stars of the show, and a heckler adds to the magic of what we want to do.
What other show at the Fringe would you recommend?
Team Viking by James Rowland for incredible storytelling. The Shamrocks for a good time, those boys can really sing, and Hot Department for some good Aussie sketch fun.
…Earnest? is on at 8pm at Gluttony’s The Peacock until Sunday, March 22.
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