Poised, polished and profane, Claire Hooper is a true professional comic. School Camp finds her looking back all the embarrassing, scary and weirdly sexual experiences that result in send a bunch for children off into the bush with only teachers to keep them in line.
Her memories range from heartwarming to truly deranged. If you think it is awkward listening to a grown woman talk about the first time she saw an erect penis by having friends pressure a boy into it, try listening to when there is an 16-year-old girl also in the audience with her mum. Claire plowed on undeterred. She has a sharp wit and can work a room so blue you will be covered in bruises.
I never knew Judy Bloom wrote a dirty book, but I cried with laughter listening to it. Hooper is unflinching and unafraid of anything, even the obligatory torch held under the chin scary story. You might be too old for school camp but you are never too young to enjoy a confronting and hilarious look back at all those memories you now wish you could forget. Get on the bus and get ready to love School Camp again, it’s a bloody good time.
BY JACK FRANKLIN
