A Fringe experience grounded in place: Gluttony at Tandanya
As Adelaide Fringe energy spreads across the city each summer, certain spaces invite us to pause, listen, and engage more deeply. In 2026, Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute becomes one of those spaces, as Gluttony and Tandanya come together to present an expanded program of performances and exhibitions during the festival.
Located on Grenfell Street in the east end of the city – and just a short stroll across the road from Gluttony’s Lakeside Gate – Tandanya is Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned and operated cultural centre.
Through this renewed partnership, Gluttony extends its Fringe footprint beyond Murlawirrapurka/Rymill Park and into a venue shaped by decades of cultural exchange, storytelling, and artistic leadership – offering audiences a Fringe experience grounded in place and meaning.
A partnership built on shared values
For Tandanya, the partnership with Gluttony represents both continuity and renewal.
“This partnership is incredibly meaningful and timely for Tandanya,” shares Tandanya Chief Executive Officer, Brenz Saunders. “We’re excited to partner with Gluttony and to work together to activate Tandanya during Adelaide Fringe 2026, extending the energy from Murlawirrapurka/Rymill Park into our space in a way that feels both natural and complementary to create something truly special.”
Following a successful series of pop-up events during Fringe 2025, the expanded 2026 program felt like a natural next step; one built on trust, collaboration, connection, and shared intent.
“It represents a return to activating Tandanya in a way that honours our cultural legacy while engaging new audiences to visit Tandanya… being part of that (Fringe) momentum through this collaboration with Gluttony, allows Tandanya to reassert its role as a living, breathing cultural hub – not just a place of history, but a place of belonging."
Why place matters
Presenting Fringe work at such a culturally significant space carries a different weight, and that difference is felt by both artists and audiences. With approximately 55% of the Gluttony at Tandanya program led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, the work presented offers cultural safety and affirmation, creating space for audiences to experience true connection to culture and stories that land meaningfully, rather than just being consumed.
“Place matters deeply… the program of events being delivered within walls that carry decades of cultural exchange, celebration, and truth-telling will present a different take compared to other venue spaces for audiences,” shares Saunders. “For artists, that can be grounding and affirming, offering a sense of cultural safety and legitimacy. For audiences, it often shifts the experience; there’s a clear sense of entering a space with purpose and history.”
Rather than existing in isolation, each performance in the 2026 Gluttony at Tandanya program sits within a broader cultural context that invites reflection, respect, and deeper engagement.
Spotlight on artists at Tandanya
This year’s Gluttony at Tandanya program brings together music, theatre, storytelling, and performance, creating space for artists to share work on their own terms, with people who may be witnessing this work – and these voices – for the first time, during one of the world’s largest open-access festivals.
“The Adelaide Fringe brings an extraordinary concentration of audiences, industry, and media into one moment,” shares Saunders. “For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, that visibility is transformative.”
Highlights include Adrian Eagle, whose opening-night performance blends soul, hip-hop, and R&B with lyrical storytelling, and Elaine Crombie, a captivating performer who invites audiences on an unforgettable journey as she effortlessly moves between comedy and drama.
Audiences can also experience The Blind and the Beautiful, featuring The Beautiful Bogan and Josh Warrior, a raw, honest, and often hilarious exploration of identity and lived experience, alongside Tina: A Tropical Love Story, a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the iconic Tina Turner, combining cabaret and drag with deeply personal tales.
For Saunders, Fringe offers a rare and powerful opportunity for this work to be seen.
“Showcasing this work during Adelaide Fringe helps shift narratives and ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories are central, not peripheral, to South Australia’s cultural conversation.”
A more intentional Fringe experience
During this year’s Fringe season, audiences stepping into Tandanya may notice a shift in pace from the Murlawirrapurka/Rymill Park location.
“Audiences will feel a sense of intimacy and intention. There’s often a slower, more grounded energy at Tandanya,” says Saunders. “The experience isn’t just transactional; it’s relational. You’re stepping into a space that invites respect and connection, and that tends to heighten the emotional impact of the work.”
It’s a reminder that Fringe doesn’t have to mean rushing from place to place. Sometimes it means arriving with curiosity and leaving with something that lingers beyond the stage.
Looking ahead to the season
As the 2026 season unfolds, Saunders hopes audiences leave with more than just memories of a single performance.
“I hope people leave feeling moved, challenged, and welcomed. Ideally, they walk away not just having seen a show, but having spent time in a place that holds cultural significance, generosity, and creative possibility – that they carry that experience with them beyond Adelaide Fringe.”
The full Gluttony at Tandanya lineup spans music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, and storytelling. Explore the full program via the Gluttony website.