Cast

Synopsis

Justine and Alan need to get away from it all, and what better way than camping. Or rather, they are doing the middle-class equivalent: “glamping”. But while their tent may already be pitched, have wooden floors, wood-burning stoves and a welcome hamper, the enforced intimacy with each other and their fellow not-so-happy campers is soon taking its toll.

Bossy Bridget is charging for the borrowed milk and HobNobs, her estranged husband, Rory, dreams of full-time family life, and glossy Amanda and Alistair have their own secrets that begin to spill as Alistair makes a smooth move on Justine.

Canvas walls and adjacent tents leave little to the imagination in this entertaining expose of modern family life.

Directors Notes

Glamorous camping – or glamping – it sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Smell that fresh air, be at peace with nature, home grown food, exercise…… Marvellous!

Alan and Justine have been having a few problems lately, so taking their kids away camping deep into the Welsh countryside sounds ideal. But there’s not much privacy within cramped canvas walls – so what will their neighbours be like? We meet bossy teacher Bridget, lovestruck Rory, suave and successful Alistair, and his perfect wife Amanda; together with shambolic campsite owner Bronwyn, they give Alan and Justine a hilarious holiday to remember – but will it make or break them?

First performed at the Chichester Festival in 2012, we are proud that – as far as we know – this is the first theatre production since then. Writer Michael Wynne, well-known author of TV Christmas movie Lapland, as well as My Summer of Love and The Priory, had been camping himself, the inspiration behind Canvas. The accent of the play is on comedy, fun, with plenty of surprises! But there are some thought-provoking themes too. They say the economy is improving, but why are some still suffering whilst others live the high life, and should we just meekly accept that? And how different are the marriages behind the façade of these 3 seemingly happy couples?

So come and have an evening of fun with us, and Canvas! (And we also hope you enjoy the way that designer Godfrey Elliott has met the challenge of the unusual set…)