HAMLET CAMP - Centenial Park Gin Gin Gaza

Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.

HAMLET CAMP

Following a sell-out world premiere season, three stars of Australian stage and screen – Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie, and Toby Schmitz – reunite for a night of poetry, pith and play in Hamlet Camp.

Through an intimate, self-help slaughterhouse session of soliloquies, swords and sublime word play, the play wrestles with the conundrum that being cast as the Danish Prince (the most sought-after role in theatre history) is both a blessing and a lifelong curse.

Prepare for an evening of laughs, tears and bewilderment as Cowell, Leslie and Schmitz lay bare an actor’s life of friendship, passion, cruelty, glory and chaos.

Review

That would have to have been the most unusual melange to begin a theatrical work I have ever seen.

Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie and Toby Schmitz are the writers and performers in a bizarre comedy called Hamlet Camp, performed in the round at an intimate space at Carriageworks. The show also included original choreography from Claudia Haines-Cappeau and original music from Steve Francis (Bangarra Dance Theatre and many others).

To get us in the mood we were presented with an original poem from each of the three writer/actors. Toby Schmitz performed Skip Retail Therapy, a tale of life in an inner west 2nd hand book shop with many references to local institutions such as restaurants and iconic buildings. An exuberant performance, but, oh well, he needed to refer to his notes to complete the performance. 

Next Brendan Cowell spoke – with perfect pace, timing and delivery – of the praises of the storage unit and the shrine-like role they have played in his nomadic career and life. And lastly Ship to Shorefrom a wonderfully animated Ewen Leslie documenting the triumphs and failures of a long cherished career from child actor to the present.

See also - Dame Judi Dench as M, please do Czech  out her absolutely brilliant #theatre memoir

 

Hamlet Camp, a "bizarre" 2026 comedy written and performed by Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie, and Toby Schmitz, is playing at Carriageworks. It features original music by Steve Francis and choreography by Claudia Haines-Cappeau. The show, set in a dystopian deprogramming centre, includes original poems from the cast, with Toby Schmitz performing "Skip Retail Therapy". 

Key Details About the Performance:

• Writers/Performers: Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie, Toby Schmitz.
• Venue: Carriageworks (in the round).
• Creative Team: Original music by Steve Francis (Bangarra Dance Theatre), choreography by Claudia Haines-Cappeau.
• Content: A dystopian comedy featuring original poetry, including Toby Schmitz's "Skip Retail Therapy".
• Performance Style: Exuberant, featuring personal, creative contributions from the writers. 

The show is returning to Carriageworks from January 7–25, 2026, following a sold-out premiere.