Review by Lauren Donikian
If you have ever been to camp, then you know what to expect from a show called ‘Camp Culture.’ Or do you? There is of course an arts and crafts session, stories around a campfire, and a high ropes course. Well, ropes are used- as are metallic hot pink hula hoops, juggling balls and fire eating torches. It is camp, but with a masterful twist.
The 50-minute performance in the Reginald theatre includes magic tricks, circus acts and stories all told and performed by Dale Woodbridge-Brown. Dressed in a camp leader costume of Khaki short shorts with large black stars Woodbridge-Brown is quietly confident about what the audience is about to see. As a proud Kamilaroi man from Mugindi he shares parts of his story throughout the performance that has made him the man and performer he is today.
With single tents on either side of the stage, a large screen on the back wall and a single long rope lying flat across the front of the stage Woodbridge-Brown starts the show and is quick to draw the audience in. Instantly he has two audience members (graduated camp leaders, he calls them) up and helping him with his tricks. They are called upon again several times throughout the performance and this itself is a game that the audience is excited to play along with. During the arts and crafts section, a pre-recorded video plays on the screen which allows Woodbridge-Brown to be amongst the crowd helping them put together a Boomerang made of stirrers (paddle pop sticks). It shows his ‘hunt’ to find the stirrers and then directions on how to make the Boomerang. This is a great opportunity to break the ice, with members of the audience turning to each other for assistance. The opportunity for people to throw their Boomerang at Woodbridge-Brown was also popular! They broke on impact, so he was very safe, as were we. Sound effects are used to help with a segment that I won’t spoil for you here and music of course gets the audience on their feet for a boogie. Also, a necessity at camp.
Woodbridge-Brown has cleverly taken tasks and activities that you would expect to see at a camp and has put his own spin on it. Flying and flipping over ropes, swallowing fire around a campfire, and magically changing costumes, he is clearly a master of his craft and has put his years of training in the circus into this performance. By fusing his culture and queerness into the mix the audience feels closer to Woodbridge-Brown and they are comfortable enough to shout out answers to his questions and get involved in the fun.
Camp is intended in both senses of the word and whilst the tricks are mystifying to both adults and children, the humor is directed at the adults. Or kids with a killer sense of humor. One of my favourite moments was the juggling section, which proved just how tricky juggling and life can really be. By naming the juggling balls - work, social life, mental health etc. Woodbridge-Brown taught everyone the lesson that sometimes, things will fall, things will slide by, and some things will happen unexpectedly. That’s life and the day goes on with you being as fabulous as you were when the day started. Although I have never looked as fabulous as he has in a red dress!
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