The Hidden Dangers of Camping may sound like the title of a farce or at least a comedy, but in fact it refers to “a powerful new drama by acclaimed (American) playwright Liesl Wilke“.
Bronagh Lagan’s production benefits greatly from a very imaginative composite set, easy on the eye, designed by Nicky Bunch. On several levels, it does duty as a camping site, hospital ward, kitchen and therapist’s room, as well as other spaces. It is beautifully and imaginatively lit by Jane Lalljee with some very striking video projections by Matt Powell and Jack Baxter, aided by Julian Starr’s music and sound design, each actor’s voice being ‘subtly’ amplified, as is becoming the norm these days, only being really noticeable when whoever is operating the sound forgets to bring a microphone up, as happened several times at the performance I attended.
The cast of ten is very strong indeed, Jess Nesling being especially impressive as Casey, whose story, The Hidden Dangers of Camping, is. Others included are Charlie Brooks as her alcohol-fuelled mother, Ruby, and Polly Allen as Casey when younger. Olivia Woolhouse is very convincing as Casey’s daughter, Meg, as is Sandra James-Young in the underwritten role of Renee, the therapist, who is just asked to sit and utter platitudes in a stereotypical way. Others include Alix Dunmore as Andi and Scarlett Nunes as her younger self, plus Sophie Mensah and the two males: Max Brown and Stephen Rahman-Hughes.
Act Two seems much better written than Act One! One of the reasons for this is that in the fifty minutes of the first part, the playwright has given herself the challenge of introducing all ten characters, which is certainly confusing at times as none is given enough to do to really establish their roles. Whereas, in Act Two, only five actors are used, the other five presumably spending their time in their dressing rooms! So why bother introducing them if their roles go nowhere?!
Also, Wilke uses the rather clunky and old-fashioned device of flashback: Casey looks back on her childhood during therapy sessions, and stays seated on stage with her therapist (do all Americans really have therapists?) whilst the flashback scenes are taking place.
In a programme note, Wilke tells us the play is autobiographical, her parents being “swept up in a philosophical approach to marriage… based on the book ‘Open Marriage’… (and) had high hopes for a successful experiment meant to enrich the lives of both partners“. The play “explores the unforeseen! – (exclamation mark mine) – difficulties for couples and their families, the concept of generational trauma, loss, addiction…” When Casey’s world is shaken by her daughter’s choice of a female partner, she is pulled back to a childhood camping trip that was far from perfect. “As past and present collide, long-buried truths begin to surface… a gripping story about family, secrets and growing up too soon“.
Director Bronagh Lagan and everyone involved make the very best case for this play, which is worth seeing for the powerful performance of Casey by Jess Nesling.
Review by John Groves
One family. One weekend. Everything changes. When Casey’s life is shaken by her daughter’s choices, she’s pulled back to a childhood camping trip that wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. As past and present collide, long buried truths surface. Funny, honest, and quietly heartbreaking.
Cast: Charlie Brooks, Max Brown, Polly Allen, Alix Dunmore, Sandra James-Young, Sophie Mensah, Scarlett Nunes, Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Olivia Woolhouse, Jess Nesling
Writer: Liesl Wilke
Director: Bronagh Lagan
Casting Director: Rob Kelly
General Management: Thomas Hopkins Productions
Producer: Thomas Hopkins
THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF CAMPING
Theatre Royal Windsor
17 to 25 July 2026
