Campfire - Fringe World 2026

Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan

Campfire by Split Focus is a standout piece of physical theatre-meets-circus this Fringe. What begins as a straightforward overnight adventure quickly becomes something far more intense, driven by extraordinary physicality and confident, clear storytelling.

This is some of the strongest storytelling through circus at Fringe in recent years. With barely a handful of spoken words across the hour, the story remains very easy to follow. The stakes are clear, the emotional beats land, and the audience is always grounded in what’s happening and why it matters to the plot.

There’s a strong filmic quality to Campfire. The soundscape has been well selected to enhance the atmosphere, with drifting haze, and an excellent lighting design that place us deep in the remote bush — far from civilisation, comfort, or help. The result is immersive and genuinely tense.

Where spectacle can sometimes overshadow story in Fringe shows, Campfire finds a smart balance. The show plays like a thriller, with twists and turns that match the very real (and literal) human twists and turns these performers deliver with impressive precision.

While circus and physical theatre drive the action, it’s the relationships that give the show its heart. There’s comedy, warmth, and a thoughtful look at mateship, as the lines between hero and villain blur and everything unravels. For the full hour, these three barely stop — it’s remarkable to watch given the intensity and power required. Even small technical hiccups (like a diving hoop that refuses to stay put) are absorbed seamlessly into the performance, handled with such ease that they barely register.

At its core, this is a buddy story — about friendship, loyalty, and how testing those bonds can take you to unexpected and life-changing places. Gripping, inventive, and often very funny, Campfire is a confident example of circus and physical theatre working together to tell a powerful, engaging story.

Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the production company.