By Nick Pilgrim
“This is one of my favourite fringe shows of all time. Not only were the performers hilarious AND beautiful to watch but so was the lighting and set.”
“Great complicity between these highly skilled performers. strange, quirky, and funny this piece has stupid shallows and profound depths.”
“Was completely immersed by these skilled acrobats as well as the beautiful set and lighting!”
“What a perfect balance of skill, comedy and spook! Loved it so much!!!!”
“Hands down one of the best shows. I would see it again. Well done boys!”
“Such a great show. Love the intimacy and connection the cast had with the audience. Some great acrobatics interspersed with many great laughs.”
If these glowing reviews from the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival are any indication, my hopes were high for Campfire Unleashed in 2026.
For three dynamic weeks, Melbourne and its immediate surrounds play host to the 2026 Midsumma Festival. Celebrating all things LGBTQI+, this jam-packed event calendar features something for everyone.
Categories of interest include performance, music, visual art, kids & families, youth, community and culture, talks, tours & workshops, parties, and sports.
In any given year, Circus Arts are an integral part of the elaborate rainbow schedule. This year is no exception, with at least half dozen acts and presentations on offer.
In fifteen years of reviewing, I have critiqued similar outings the likes of:
- Blanc de Blanc Encore
- Briefs
- Cirque De Licious
- Circus Oz (Precarious)
- Club Vegas (The Spectacle)
- Elixir Revived
- Hot Brown Honey
- Kapow
- Le Noir
- Railed
- Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show
- Snuff Puppets (Swamp – At The End Of The World)
- Velvet
- Voila!
- Werk It – Tight Fit
This list goes on.
What makes Campfire Unleashed a great night out, is how the award-winning company combines its quirky tale with terrific showmanship.
Told over sixty dynamic minutes, good mates Louis Green and Griffin Hooper head for the hills to go hiking. Two become three when an aberration (played by Naz Turner) wants to join in the fun.
As darkness falls, their weekend adventure becomes a test of strength, courage, and ultimately, new friendship possibilities neither of them quite imagined. It should be noted that Turner uses his short king status to hilarious advantage.
Like similar experiences such as Elixir Revived or Railed, is how the simple narrative is built and nourished through acrobatic storytelling. The true heart of Campfire Unleashed is its rare ability to communicate a range of emotions through music, mime and movement. A pumping soundtrack underscores this journey to great dramatic effect as well.
Without uttering a single word, the trio of performers are as enthusiastic as they are talented. Taking advantage of Theatre Works intimate performance space, audiences can also value their work at close range. Appreciating the group’s joyful athleticism mere metres away, their considerable skills left viewers (like me) open-mouthed in awe.
Don’t try this at home, folks!
From aerial dance to wild tumbling and everything in between, these boys know their brand. Cheeky and fun, this is relaxed entertainment designed to keep both grown-ups and kids at heart engaged and enthralled.
Expert co-direction by Samuel Boyd and Alonso Pineda, gives Campfire Unleashed fluid and focussed pacing. Further to their shared vision, Savanna Wegman’s set and costume design plus Spencer Herd’s lighting, provide the show’s delicious sense mystery and intrigue. The company should also be congratulated for tying together their tight set of tricks and daring into a strong, cohesive whole.
While Campfire Unleashed played for a strictly limited time at this year’s Midsumma (with dates scheduled in February at Perth Fringe World and Adelaide’s Fringe Festival in March) here’s hoping that a return season to Melbourne is on the cards again very soon.
