I had great fun writing Camp Fear – a light-hearted Halloween musical – for exciting new theatre company Out Cast. Founded by Elliot Toms, Out Cast has a mission to create a safe space to access the world of theatre in all its forms for the LGBTQ+ community and allies across Sussex. As the company’s first production, Camp Fear was a sell out across both nights. The story followed four familiar friends (think Scooby Doo…) who agree to go camping on Halloween – but one of them is hiding a dark secret, and they soon meet a group of strangers who are not what they seem.
In the words of Elliot Toms: “More that just a humorous origin story of a certain famous cartoon franchise, Camp Fear is a take of confronting our inner demons, conquering hate with love, and embracing differences.
The cast featured professional actors, those returning to acting, and singers acting for the first time. Musical direction was by Simon Gray, who has a career in opera and musical theatre, on national tours, in the West End, regional theatres and in major concert houses in the UK and worldwide. Katie Mayfield, director and choreographer, has worked both locally in Sussex and further afield on productions including Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty for Ropetackle Arts.
The whole team was pleased to receive great audience feedback, which was invited after the show to inform the company’s future productions.
“Super inclusive! Felt joyful.“
“Really moving and funny. Had a tear in my eye.“
“The right amount of silly!“
“So many great moments – too many to pick a favourite, everyone shone at some point… Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Glad it’s a sell-out show.
“My face hurt from smiling so much and it’s left me in such a good mood. Encore!“
