If you see one comedic show this silly season, make sure it is Camping. Chris Parker and Tom Sainsbury’s returning classic will be a hilarious start to any office Christmas party. The entire cast sits down with YOUR ex to discuss reuniting for a camp comedy classic with one hell of an orgy scene.
Eight years ago – Camping, a low-budget comedy play that took inspiration from the likes of Benny Hill and French & Saunders, was the surprise hit of the New Zealand Comedy Festival. Written by Tom Sainsbury and Chris Parker, with Kura Forrester and Brynley Stent, Camping tells the story of two Kiwi couples who find they have double-booked the same remote bach. As the New Zealand Herald surmised at the time, “Camping is the sort of show that, if it was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, would’ve been commissioned by the BBC by now.”
Eight years on, in time for the silly season, Silo Theatre is resurrecting this hit, with the original cast but a bigger budget. Aiming to give it a glow up under the direction of Sophie Roberts with all new lighting, set, sound and costumes – marking the first time Tom Sainsbury has ever starred in a professional theatre show!
What does it mean to you personally to be bringing back Camping in 2024?
KURA: It’s a pure joy for all of us to be doing this show again. We love nothing more than getting to hang out and laugh together, so it’s such a treat that this is our work too. Being backed by Silo Theatre and a fantastic team of creatives makes the show even more layered and dynamic. We can’t wait for people to see this new and improved version of the classic.
Why was this the year to bring it back?
KURA: I think because Silo pitched it and we all got on board. Silo appreciates how busy we all are individually, so when they made the call, it was like we had a year to carve out the time in our schedules. Our success and dynamic as a group has only gotten stronger, so this feels like the perfect time to go big and bring back a play people still have hugely fond memories of.
Why do you think the play still has such a special place in audiences’ hearts this many years later?
TOM: I reckon it’s because the audience has four hilarious, highly-flawed, slightly relatable characters that they can indulge in. After the first two seasons, people would love to discuss Les, Fleur, Connie and Francis’ quirks – and everyone would have their particular favourite character. The play is also kinda outrageous. I reckon audiences love outrageous comedy. It’s also four actors who just adore each other, having fun on stage together.
Do you have any theories as to why Camping particularly appeals to a gay/queer audience?
BRYNLEY: The show is inspired heavily by Kath and Kim, and gay people love Kath and Kim.
The story has evolved since Camping was first staged – what inspired these changes?
BRYNLEY: We are so lucky to work with Silo Theatre to bring this show back to life! Being presented by a professional theatre company allows us more time and resources to really sink our teeth into the characters and deepen their wants and desires rather than painting them in broad brush strokes. These guys are now complex – I’m talking Chekhov-level complex. It also allows us to play with a higher-quality set, costumes and technical elements to bring the surrealism and humour to life.
Thankfully, the orgy scene has still made the cut! The second time I saw the play I was front row for it, which meant having Tom’s perspiring face just inches from mine as Chris was bending him over! How did you go about choreographing this hilarious scene, and how has this evolved for a professional Silo production?
CHRIS: Really, we should have an intimacy coordinator. The first scene, Tom choreographed it as he said he had the most ‘extensive understanding of sex positions’ so he came in with a list like:
- Eiffel Tower.
- Bukkake.
- Everyone fists Chris.
This season, with fancy Silo theatre at the helm, I think it will be a little more choreographed. Think Fosse meets Sean Cody!
Camping, D.O.C.ing and Giggly Gerties were three brilliant comedic plays that had a sense of a ‘trilogy’ to them. Could we see either or both of the other two revived next?
CHRIS: I’m really into the idea of there being a Parker and Sainsbury and Co. cinematic universe, and somehow all those plays exist in the same universe and at the same time. So maybe rather than bringing them back one at a time, we should just hybrid them together and make one gigantic four-hour theatrical spectacular.
Silo Theatre presents Camping, created and performed by Chris Parker and Tom Sainsbury with Kura Forrester and Brynley Stent, will take over Auckland’s Q Theatre from Thursday 14 November to Friday 7 December. Book tickets at silotheatre.co.nz
