Set: Single outdoor set (with tents!)
Synopsis: A comedy with a bite to it, this tells the story of a family gathering in the Yorkshire countryside to scatter the ashes of a man with a dark history.
Running time: Around 95 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'I think we all enjoy a challenge, so when I wrote 'Happy Campers' I didn't shy away from the fact that certain aspects of its staging might involve a little imagination.
Thankfully, many groups have picked up the gauntlet and relished the opportunity to present the Yorkshire Dales (complete with tents) in their local village hall!
A comedy it certainly is, but there's a tragedy at its heart as a family comes to terms with a death. For Spencer and Michael, however, a new life might just be beginning, and
arguably the most troubled character of all comes good in the end...'
Published: 2008
First Produced: Harlequins, Lancs, 2009
Latest Production: Wollaston Theatricals Society, Northants, 2012
SAMPLE SCENE
Beth: Is that your sheepdog?
Wilson: It is. That’s Charlie. He’s a good’un too. Obedient to a fault.
Spencer: So what do you farm, Mr. Wilson?
Wilson: Swaledales.
Beth: Swaledales?
Spencer: I know them. They’re like little beetroot.
Wilson: They’re sheep. Why would I have a sheepdog if I grew beetroot?
Spencer: I don’t know. Company?
Wilson: I’ve got the wife for company when I need it. Mind you, she’s not a patch on them sheep.
Joan: Charming.
Wilson: They’ve got the best wool in the world and they go down well with a drop o’ the mint sauce. This is lambing season, you know.
Joan: Ah, sweet.
Wilson: Mm. Tender, too.
Synopsis: A comedy with a bite to it, this tells the story of a family gathering in the Yorkshire countryside to scatter the ashes of a man with a dark history.
Running time: Around 95 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'I think we all enjoy a challenge, so when I wrote 'Happy Campers' I didn't shy away from the fact that certain aspects of its staging might involve a little imagination.
Thankfully, many groups have picked up the gauntlet and relished the opportunity to present the Yorkshire Dales (complete with tents) in their local village hall!
A comedy it certainly is, but there's a tragedy at its heart as a family comes to terms with a death. For Spencer and Michael, however, a new life might just be beginning, and
arguably the most troubled character of all comes good in the end...'
Published: 2008
First Produced: Harlequins, Lancs, 2009
Latest Production: Wollaston Theatricals Society, Northants, 2012
SAMPLE SCENE
Beth: Is that your sheepdog?
Wilson: It is. That’s Charlie. He’s a good’un too. Obedient to a fault.
Spencer: So what do you farm, Mr. Wilson?
Wilson: Swaledales.
Beth: Swaledales?
Spencer: I know them. They’re like little beetroot.
Wilson: They’re sheep. Why would I have a sheepdog if I grew beetroot?
Spencer: I don’t know. Company?
Wilson: I’ve got the wife for company when I need it. Mind you, she’s not a patch on them sheep.
Joan: Charming.
Wilson: They’ve got the best wool in the world and they go down well with a drop o’ the mint sauce. This is lambing season, you know.
Joan: Ah, sweet.
Wilson: Mm. Tender, too.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
HAPPY CAMPERS (Click the title to read the whole script online at Lazy Bee Scripts)
WINNER, HARLEQUINS, MOST ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY, NODA AWARD 2009,
CHRIS SHELSTONE AS MR WILSON.
'A super comedy' Lancing Repertory Players, Sussex
'Thank you for your script, which has an excellent and touching depth to it as well as the obvious and very enjoyable
humour' Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group, Leics.
'Put simply, Happy Campers is smart and funny from start to finish' Stone Revellers, Staffs. (Press review here)
Cast: 3m, 4f
SPENCER, 30s. A bit of a know-it-all who likes the sound of his own voice.
MR WILSON, 50s or older. Yorkshire accent required! The sort of man who speaks as he finds.
MICHAEL, 16. A wayward teenager who saves the day...
JOAN, 50s. Not a natural camper.
BETH, 50s. Joan's sister. A bit of a busy-body.
RACHEL, 30s. Their niece. A new-age hippy who finds it difficult to cope with the real world.
HELEN, 30s. Her step-sister, chalk to Rachel's cheese.
WINNER, HARLEQUINS, MOST ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY, NODA AWARD 2009,
CHRIS SHELSTONE AS MR WILSON.
'A super comedy' Lancing Repertory Players, Sussex
'Thank you for your script, which has an excellent and touching depth to it as well as the obvious and very enjoyable
humour' Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group, Leics.
'Put simply, Happy Campers is smart and funny from start to finish' Stone Revellers, Staffs. (Press review here)
Cast: 3m, 4f
SPENCER, 30s. A bit of a know-it-all who likes the sound of his own voice.
MR WILSON, 50s or older. Yorkshire accent required! The sort of man who speaks as he finds.
MICHAEL, 16. A wayward teenager who saves the day...
JOAN, 50s. Not a natural camper.
BETH, 50s. Joan's sister. A bit of a busy-body.
RACHEL, 30s. Their niece. A new-age hippy who finds it difficult to cope with the real world.
HELEN, 30s. Her step-sister, chalk to Rachel's cheese.
Richard James / Actor & Playwright
Home Showreel/CV One Act Plays Full Length Plays Plays for Kids "Professional Tips" Contact Family History
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Happy Campers
Indian Summer
| White Lies |
| Mystery of Mallen Hall |
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................