Speeches
Wednesday, 01 March 2023
Reception for Adelaide Fringe Honey Pot Marketplace
It is Rod’s and my great pleasure to welcome you to Government House.
Festival season is in full swing, and many of you have considerable commitments right now. I thank you all for taking the time to join us this evening.
Rod and I are currently throwing ourselves into all things Fringe. From the remixed tones of traditional Indian music, personal memoirs in one man and one woman theatre shows, contemporary dance by young, upcoming choreographers, a stunning drone performance in Victoria Park…
…We are leaving no stone unturned in our pursuit to explore all the Fringe has to offer.
It’s a lot of nights out, but we now consider ourselves to be Fringe fit.
This evening we have gathered to celebrate 15 years of the Adelaide Fringe Honey Pot Marketplace.
In particular I welcome the Honey Pot delegates here with us who have come from around Australia, and around the world, for the festival.
Like my fellow South Australians here this evening, I am extremely proud that the Adelaide Fringe has become the world’s second largest annual arts festival, which makes it ideal for an initiative like Honey Pot.
Being out and about during the Fringe, it’s hard to conceptualise the sheer volume of artistic talent in our city at the moment.
I’m so pleased that Honey Pot gives South Australian artists, as well as those from interstate and overseas, the chance to connect with producers and buyers from around the world.
This gives them the opportunity to extend the lifetime of their works, to grow their profile, their experience and of course support themselves financially.
It also gives producers the chance to source the very best, most innovative and exciting work for their audience.
As a former diplomat, I can see the considerable value of an initiative like Honey Pot to grow international relationships and connections that are beneficial not only for the arts, but our state more generally.
I thank the Adelaide Fringe Board and staff for their vision and implementation of the Honey Pot Marketplace, and for the effort they have put into its growth and success, particularly in recent years.
I note the time and effort Fringe staff invest in tailored research for each buyer, so they get the most out of their Honey Pot experience.
I also thank the Fringe’s large community of partners and supporters, whose assistance makes it possible for initiatives like Honey Pot to exist.
The success of the Adelaide Fringe, and our festival season, rests heavily on the commitment and involvement of our state community, including the thousands of South Australians who patronise its events.
I was pleased to learn the Fringe is on track to beat its box office records this year, and I wish it every success with this goal.
Congratulations to the Honey Pot initiative on reaching its 15 year milestone.
I have no doubt it will go from strength to strength into the future.