The Adelaide Fringe is in full swing, but showgoers are feeling the cost-of-living pinch
The Adelaide Fringe was once branded the "affordable festival", and has traditionally been styled as the budget alternative to the city's concurrent festival of arts.
But amid rising cost-of-living pressures, that reputation is being tested.
Despite the confidence of organisers that ticket sales are on track to surpass last year's seven-figure record, some Fringe enthusiasts have conceded they'll be spending less.
Barista and avid Fringe-goer Carmen Joubert said while she typically looked forward to "all aspects of the festival season", her Fringe festivities would be a little different this year.
"As an individual who works pay cheque to pay cheque, it is hard navigating leisurely expenses like tickets to shows, eating out, drinks and transport during the festival/Fringe season," she said.
"The cost of a ticket to a show will determine my attendance. I try and tell myself it is worth the money in supporting the artists and the South Australian arts scene.
"However, I can't give what I don't have."
Ms Joubert said that, if there is a show she wants to see, she increasingly feels "pressured to purposely put money aside", and she isn't alone.
Other showgoers have said while they will try and support as many artists as they can, being savvy with their money is an overriding priority.
"It's a good atmosphere and fun to be around, but in terms of spending, there are other things I need to buy," one Fringe-goer, Faith, said.
"I think more people just go in and roam around [the venues] than spend their money."
One backpacker told the ABC she was keen to see shows, but had decided to work at the festival to secure ticket discounts.
"I'm working at the Fringe to save money, as you can get in for free to some shows and get to sit in for some of the acts," she said.
Fringe organisers are not oblivious to the challenges.
"Cost of living has impacted everyone, from artists, venues, producers, and audiences — I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't a part of everyone's conversations," executive director of programs and development, Jo O'Callaghan, said.
"A lot of our venue operators and artists have absorbed some of those increased costs.
"We all know that events are taking a lot more to put on, and a lot more energy and effort with travel and logistics all increasing, but thankfully the ticket prices haven't gone up.
"Our average ticket price hasn't risen in the last couple of years — it's at a steady $34."
Fringe not 'where you make money as an artist'
But it isn't just ticketholders who are feeling the pinch — some artists are being forced to dig deep as well.
Miles Dunne and Max Brading said that, without a grant from the city council, their interactive AI show Metahuman would not exist.
"The $5,000 is meant to cover … developing the show, designing all the visual elements and how the system works, building the props and set design, as well as paying our performers," Dunne said.
"Ourselves and the movement director, the three main collaborators, aren't getting paid a lot for our time.
"If you actually broke down our costs hourly, the in-kind work would blow the production costs a lot higher than five grand."
While the Metahuman co-creators are willing to take the risk, they also admit that some of their efforts are likely to go unrewarded.
"If a lot of work isn't paying very well … you can end up in financial trouble," Dunne said.
"I don't meet a lot of people who would say the Fringe is where you make money as an artist," Brading added.
To combat some of the financial pressures, the Fringe is putting on free events around the state, as well as offering cheaper tickets for those looking to save.
Ms O'Callaghan said while the event is "definitely on track to sell over a million tickets" again this year, attendees who are looking to manage their spending should consider their options.
"There are over 100 free events and exhibitions across the festival landscape," she said.
"Lots of shows have preview prices which are cheaper for their opening weekend options.
"We have 'Midweek Treats', which supports a discounted ticket for mid-week performances, and … a Fringe membership … will get you two-for-one tickets for a number of shows across the festival."
For Dunne and Brading, another good way Fringe attendees who are on a budget can support artists is by venturing beyond the Fringe's epicentre in Adelaide's East End and finding smaller productions.
"The parks are great, but I think a lot of people come to Adelaide and think that is all there is to it," Brading said.
"There is a lot of the city that is there to explore."
The Fringe festival will run until March 17.