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Communing with nature, roasting marshmallows and sleeping under the stars… it sounds like the perfect camping trip.
Unless of course, you’re being stalked by the resident boogeyman.
Split Focus have created an acrobatic adventure which follows two friends who are trekking deep into the bush. Unbeknownst to them, a strange presence is shadowing them. Thanks to the immaculate lighting effects and evocative sountrack, we know that this isn’t a friendly forest fae.
What follows is an hour of thrills and spills. The show peppers displays of agility, balance and strength while the characters plod through the wilderness.
I am normally an aerials girl but Griffin Hooper’s nimbleness through the hoops caught my attention. Set up in a vertical figure eight, he effortlessly jumped in and out of them, which can’t be easy for someone as tall as him.
Campfire’s prowess isn’t just in its performers’ gymnastic abilities.
It conveys its story without any spoken words. Movement and expressions, along with the succinct musical choices, are especially crucial in this endeavour. They help guide the audience through the story and ensure they feel the intent of each scene.
It was so effective that when I was not busy recording snippets for social content, I found myself leaning in, fully ensnared in the narrative.
Considering that I usually avoid any whiff of horror like the plague, that’s a incredible feat.
Split Focus have also drew me in by deftly tempering the creepiness with elements of buddy comedy. Consequently, the storyline is evenly split between moments of impending danger and slapstick sequences you cannot help but laugh at.
More importantly, these moments flow seamlessly into one another thanks to careful choreography. For example, in a calculated move, the show managed to shift my empathy from one character to another. Yet, I can’t pinpoint an exact turning point for my change in cheer squads.
Despite The Gold Digger’s smaller size, the size and circular layout worked to great effect. It feels like we are listening (or in this case, watching) a spooky story unfold while huddled around a campfire.
Additionally, the performers make smart use of the space. While all the tricks are tightly confined to the centre of the floor, the movements expand outwards during the storytelling sections. Once again, we feel like we are part of the action.
While this is a family friendly show, I concur with the recommendation that it is best for ages seven upwards.
I loved the stop motion effect that the lighting achieved. However, that and the other bursts of darkness throughout the play may prove too much for sensitive kids.
Moreover, Michael McDonald makes a truly creepy spectre. His initial malevolence is so convincing that it may make the dark walk back to the car a little scarier for youngins.
If your child can withstand the shadowy scares, Campfire provides a well-paced story that you can tease life lessons out of.
But honestly, morals of the story aside, Campfire is an engaging watch that will invoke emotions you didn’t think you’d have for a creepy bush spirit.