Campfire is a hilarious jump-scare comedy currently showing at Fringe World Perth. With a rich mix of physical theatre, clowning, acrobatics and floor work, it’s wildly entertaining. This show will delight every member of the family, so pack your bug spray, and let’s head deep into the bush for some hilarious and playful camping chaos.
The premise is simple and instantly relatable. Best mates Louis and Griffin head out on a camping trip, armed with enthusiasm but very little practical skill. They fumble through the basics, but they’re just so excited to be spending time together that doesn’t really matter. After a series of missteps – including a highly relatable moment involving a camping tent that made my day, and a rather awkward moment running out of water – they settle in for the night, toasting marshmallows by the fire. As darkness falls, the tone subtly shifts. A curious, lonely, animalistic bush spirit begins to follow their every move. What starts as intrigue soon becomes a fight for survival, as from sunrise to sunset the friends stumble through the wilderness, their survival skills, masculinity and friendship tested at every turn as the spirit causes escalating high jinks.
Created by Melbourne/Naarm collective Split Focus, Campfire is a confident showcase of multidisciplinary performance. The storytelling is driven almost entirely through the body, with dynamic acrobatics, aerial work, tumbling, floor work and clowning woven seamlessly into the narrative. The physical skill on display is impressive, with very movement serving the story.
The music and sound design build cinematic tension, while the clever use of lighting and shadow kept the audience on its toes as they are guided through moments of joy, fear and tenderness. I really enjoyed how the performance used clowning to move the audience through this story of hilarious emotional ups and downs. Performed in the close quarters of the Gold Digger tent, the audience is close enough to the action to feel every near-miss, every moment of trust, and every comic pause. There was raucous laughter, punctuated by audible gasps and soft “awws” during the more tender moments.
At its core, Campfire is a playful and generous exploration of friendship, vulnerability and connection, and, importantly, how to perfectly toast a marshmallow. This show is very well executed storytelling. It’s funny, impressively physical, and a joyful Fringe experience. By far one of the best shows I’ve seen at Fringe, pack your bug spray and join this trio into the bush.
To book tickets to Campfire, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/campfire-fw2026.
Photographer: Ven Tithing
