Julia Davis returns to Sky Atlantic this month with a brand new comedy, Camping.
When you think of Sky Atlantic as a channel, you probably think of Game Of Thrones, Fortutide and a lot of HBO shows. What you probably don't think about is great homegrown comedy.
But actually, there are some real gems to be found on Sky Atlantic. Already this year we've had the second series of Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters, and recently the channel announced that they had saved The Trip, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, after the BBC decided (foolishly) that they didn't want to commit to a third series. The series will air in 2017.
Right now though, Sky Atlantic are turning their attentions to new comedy Camping.
Camping is a hilarious new comedy from Julia Davis, who also created the wonderful Nighty Night and Hunderby. With Camping, Julia has continued to prove herself as a triple threat; writing, directing and starring in the series!
She also has quite the pull when it comes to the casting with Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9, Benidorm), Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On), Rufus Jones (Stag, Hunderby), Jonathan Cake (Doll & Em), Elizabeth Berrington (Stella) and David Bamber (The King's Speech) all agreeing to star in the series.
When you think of camping, you might thing of toasting marshmallows or singing around the campfire, and if that's what you think you're going to get in Camping, let's just say you're in for a bit of a shock.
In short, Camping is about a group of old friends, who for Robin's (Steve Pemberton) 50th birthday have gone away on a camping trip, organised by his (rather controlling) wife Fiona (Vicki Pepperdine).
Things don't quite go to plan though, as Tom (Rufus Jones) arrives with his new girlfriend, the brilliant Fay, a character built for Julia Davis to play (quite literally as she wrote it!). Together they crash the party, grab the spotlight and very quickly, things become increasingly debauched and deranged. If you think there's nothing sexual about an antiques shop. Wait. Just wait. You're in for a treat!
Right from the word go, the relationship between Robin and Fiona is established and there for all to see. As they drive to the campsite, Fiona turns to her husband and says "Can you slow down a bit please Robin, we're going too fast. It's very bumpy."
And if you weren't already feeling sorry for Robin at that point, after all, it's his 50th birthday they're meant to be celebrating, then I'm sure you will be after she's asked him to manually walk all the suitcases from the car to the campsite, make a cup of tea - all in the space of a few minutes!
Oh and they've brought their son along for the ride too... if you think you've witnessed an overprotective mother before, wait until you see the way Fiona treats her son!
One thing's clear. Julia Davis knows her shit when it comes to writing comedy. Camping is a sitcom that knows exactly what it is. It's not trying to be like that other show, or trying to shoe horn jokes left, right and centre. In fact, the laughs arise out of the situations on screen - the original definition of what a sitcom (situation comedy) should be.
Camping is a joy to watch, from start to finish, and when the first episode ended I just wanted to get straight onto the next one, and as I was sent the first two episodes, I was luckily able to. And it's good news for you too, as you'll also be able to watch the two episodes back-to-back from 10pm on Tuesday 12th April, and if you really haven't had your fill by 11pm, you can head over to Sky Box Sets where you'll be able to indulge in the entire series.
Comentarios