Ernie Dingo is coming to Adelaide Fringe for the first time, and he’s bringing something entirely new. Chasing Horizons, a live show combining storytelling, song, acting and live painting, will have its world premiere at Gluttony during the opening weekend of the 2027 festival.
This marks the first time Dingo has created a live show of this kind in a career spanning 50 years. Across an hour of interactive performance, audiences will watch him paint on stage while he shares personal stories drawn from his remarkable life in travel, culture, film, television and visual art.
“I have always wanted to perform at Adelaide Fringe and in creating this show, I felt Fringe was the perfect fit,” Dingo said. “I also feel excited and humbled that my show is the first to be announced for the 2027 season.”
The show runs for three performances across three days at The Flamingo tent in Gluttony, with tickets now on sale.
A companion exhibition at Tandanya
Alongside the live show, Dingo has created a 20-piece art collection. Ernie Dingo: Chasing Horizons the Exhibition will be presented at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, just a short walk from Gluttony’s Lakeside Gate at 253 Grenfell Street.
Both the show and exhibition invite audiences into Dingo’s world of truth-telling and personal reflection, revealing a lesser-known side of his practice as a visual artist.
“Painting becomes a way to express his travels, Aboriginal culture, and his enduring connection to people, country, and horizons that have shaped his life,” said producer-director Anita Baltutis.
This is the second Adelaide Fringe season that South Australian event company Gluttony has collaborated with Tandanya to present a program of First Nations-focused shows.
A signal of what’s to come
Adelaide Fringe CEO Marc Carnes said having Dingo lead the 2027 announcements reflects the calibre of talent the festival is now attracting.
“As Adelaide Fringe continues to grow its reputation as a must-attend South Australian experience, we are seeing extraordinary artists from Australia and around the world choosing to bring ambitious new work to Adelaide,” Carnes said. “Ernie’s Fringe debut and world premiere is a great example of the calibre of talent the event is attracting, and it’s excellent to see it kick off with a name so beloved here.”
Gluttony co-director Elena Kirschbaum described it as a rare opportunity. “This is a rare opportunity to witness one of Australia’s most recognised and respected cultural figures live on stage,” she said.
Tickets for Ernie Dingo: Chasing Horizons are on sale now through Adelaide Fringe.
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