Sydney Comedy School Wins Adelaide Fringe Venue Grant for 2026

Written By Dave Crisante

The Dom Polski Centre at the Adelaide Fringe

The Sydney Comedy School has officially been named a recipient of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Venue Grant.

This grant funding will enable us to transform the historic Dom Polski Centre into one of the festival’s most exciting new hubs.

It is our first major Adelaide Fringe venue activation, and builds on two years of experience at the Adelaide Fringe.

The activation, is led by the Sydney Comedy School Director Dave Crisante, who says the grant will help bring an ambitious mix of comedy, theatre, and tasting experiences to life.

 “The Adelaide Fringe is such an incredible celebration of creativity, and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” Dave said.

“This grant means we can take a big leap forward and create a home for both performers and audiences that feels exciting, inclusive, and alive.”

Introducing The Den and The Maple Room

The Dom Polski Centre will feature two unique performance spaces:

  • The Den – a moody, intimate theatre hosting a curated selection of magic, comedy, cabaret, and theatre.

  • The Maple Room – a lively tasting and comedy space celebrating wine, spirits, and laughter.

Together, these rooms will host over 25 productions during the festival.

Highlights in The Den include a wide range of comedy, magic, improv, theatre and music shows.

Meanwhile, The Maple Room will feature crowd-pleasing tasting comedies such as “Vino Vibes: Italian Wine Tasting Comedy,” “A Pirate’s Guide to Rum,” and “Absinthe Adventures.”

A Hub for Artists and Audiences

Dave says the goal is to create a welcoming home for artists and a playground for audiences.

“The Den is where you’ll find raw creativity and storytelling, and The Maple Room is where you’ll sip, laugh, and learn something you didn’t expect,” he explains. “We want every night to feel like a true fringe experience.”

 “The Fringe is all about connection and discovery, and this grant helps us build a venue that captures that spirit.”

Adelaide Fringe Support

The Sydney Comedy School is grateful to the Adelaide Fringe organisers for their ongoing support.
“The Venue Grant program is such a vital part of what makes the Fringe possible. It allows new ideas to take root, and we’re thankful to be part of that ecosystem,” Dave says.

“The Fringe team has been fantastic, helping connect us to the Dom Polski Centre and providing ongoing support. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Dom Polski Centre.”

Dave Crisante