Australian fringers have been spoiled by talented companies successfully combining circus and comedy. Two examples at this Melbourne Fringe are Head First Acrobatics (returning with Godz) or YUCK Circus (Deadset). Split Focus aim to add horror to the mix in a scary thing happened by the CAMPFIRE.
The setup is two wordless friends (Louis Green and Griffin Hooper, who are also co-creators with Alonso Pineda and Samuel Boyd) going camping in the bush. Fairly quickly, they seem to lose confidence in their navigational skills. A shadowy figure lurks nearby.
The design by Spencer Herd and Savanna Wegman, combining dense, misty air and a slightly unsettling musical score, starts to give off Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes.
There’s an attempt to pitch a tent, but the campers’ cluelessness telegraphs the visual gag. The friends show strength in balancing, and whilst competent, it’s not so spectacular. They individually engage with the shadowy figure, but this seems only mildly troubling.
Then something very rare happens, a fringe show overcomes its middling start to become far more appealing in pretty much everything it attempts. Partial success arises from our performers ramping up the silliness, and scenes were assisted by fitting musical selections. In a chase scene, one character is campily effortful in dislodging an obstacle, the unexpected tonal shift earning a big laugh.
Our performers are certainly ripped specimens. Some of the circus tricks were very impressive, such as through the strength and control on offer in straps. Audience appreciation may have been limited by some action sequences not being so well lit at times.
The show’s conclusion appealed by taking the character dynamics in an amusing direction. The show misdirected us by promising “jumpscare-comedy” in its Fringe blurb. We might get closer to this if the storyline could make the outsider figure more menacing (rather than odd) at the outset.
However, judging from when the show hits its stride, there’s a lot of potential for even more scares and fun around the CAMPFIRE in the show’s next iteration.
a scary thing happened by the CAMPFIRE
Studio Theatre – Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
Performance: Wednesday 9 October 2024
Season continues to 12 October 2024
Information and Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au
Image: Louis Green and Griffin Hooper – photo by Tom Noble
Review: Jason Whyte