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Tuesday September 1, 2026 
31 August 2026
For the first time ever the Sydney Fringe Festival is coming to the North Shore. Throughout September, Lane Cove will host a number of Fringe shows across the Pottery Lane Performance Space, The Canopy stage, Gallery Lane Cove, and Carisbrook Historic House.
North Shore local Jo Bradley will be producing and directing two shows at the festival, before making her professional debut in October at the Ensemble Theatre.
Central to this expansion is North Shore local Jo Bradley, who is set to produce and direct two shows during the festival. These productions serve as a prelude to her highly anticipated professional debut this October at the Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli.
“I’m a local who lives near Crows Nest, and makes theatre in the North. For years, I’ve taught drama and directed plays for Marian St Theatre for Young People” Bradley said.
Following its premiere in 2025 at the Sydney Fringe, solowork Gia Ophelia returns. The piece earned Bradley the “Best Emerging Artist” award at last year’s festival and has toured to Canberra and performed at KXT on Broadway. Returning to Sydney, the show will be at the Pottery Lane Performance Space on 25 and 27 September as part of the festival’s “Best Of” week.
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The play follows Gia, an actor struggling with a stalling career who dreams of playing Ophelia one last time. Bradley, who served as dramaturg and director, described the collaborative process: “Grace and I created this work together specifically for Sydney Fringe 2025, with Grace writing and me working as dramaturg, director, and producer. Since then, we’ve done a return season in Sydney and toured it to Canberra. I’m very excited now to bring the show to the North.”
Bradley will also direct The Man, an interactive one-man show by celebrated writer James Graham. Starring Mike Howlett, the play centers on Ben, a sole trader whose anxiety peaks during tax season.
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In a unique twist, audience members are handed receipts upon entry. As Ben attempts to sort through his finances, he calls upon the audience to provide the next receipt, with every slip of paper triggering a different story. This structure ensures that every performance is a completely unique experience for both the actor and the crowd.
Running from 1-6 September, the play is also at the Pottery Lane Performance Space.
Capping off a busy season, Bradley moves to the Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli to direct Mike Bartlett’s Snowflake. A sharp, contemporary look at generational divides, the play follows Andy as he prepares for a Christmas reunion with his estranged daughter, Maya.
The production explores the tension between Andy’s traditionalist views and Maya’s progressive activism with humor and heart. Running from October 20 until 21 November, the piece will be Bradley’s debut professional production.