More Info →The Topp Twins Go Camping

Description: The information for this image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 26th February 1992.

"The Topp Twins are off again, cracking jokes, serving up another hilarious slice of the New Zealand lifestyle. This time Lynda and Jools have been joined by percussionist/vocalist Nettie Bird, the trio mixing new songs and old favourites in their Camping Out national tour.

"Camping Out has lots of connotations. It's a very gay, happy time. Everyone can remember staying in camping grounds as a kid, so it's a very New Zealand thing," says Jools. "Summer wasn't happening so we decided to have some fun and create our own summer, inside a theatre. We think it's pretty important for people to come out right now, just to be entertained. That's the most political thing anyone can do."

The twins' Camping Out show is set in the 1950s, so tacky props -- terry-towelling sunsuits, crimplene pants and plastic sandles [sic] -- are the fashion accessories. While the show includes many new songs, the old favourites such as Untouchable Girls have also been included. Unlike previous tours, Camping Out finds Lynda, Jools and Nettie remaining "in character" for the whole show. "We've always had this running theme of music, and that keeps the whole show together. In Camping Out, Lynda becomes the communicator, welcoming everyone to the camping ground, turning the audience into the campers. Participation is essential."

The twins have no qualms about supporting New Zealand's nuclear-free position, with Greenpeace having had a booth at each show. "Already we've had the Mayor of Napier inviting the entire American war machine to pitch camp there, which is quite alarming. Internationally, it's our anti-nuclear position which is always a talking point at our shows. Whether it be Britain, Canada or Australia, people come up and say they admire our stand. We believe it's one of New Zealand's greatest selling points, yet that can only be fully recognised once you've left the country."

The Camping Out show premiered in Auckland before Christmas to full houses and favourable reviews, suggesting the Topp Twins have become something of an institution in New Zealand comedy. Jools says its really about being honest with your audience. "Most comedians get their laughs by putting someone down, but we prefer to have the audience laughing with us. While some might feel uncomfortable about three lesbian women doing a theatre show about camping out in the 1950s, being down to earth in our approach pulls us through. We're not trained actresses, so we only really know how to dress up and be silly and have fun. People like the way we use music and comedy to communicate these things, to reflect New Zealand as we see it."