What if Patrick Chirac were to pitch his tent in the world of immersive theater soon? According to Paris Match, Fabien Onteniente, the director of the Camping trilogy, is planning a stage adaptation of his films with Thomas Jolly, the director of the Paris 2024 Olympic ceremonies. The project, still not definitively confirmed, could come to life in 2028.
In his autobiography Alors, on n’attend pas Fabien ?, Fabien Onteniente discusses the idea of an immersive show inspired by Camping, rather than a fourth film. He would develop this path with Franck Dubosc, the actor who plays Patrick Chirac, and he’s said to have met Thomas Jolly to envision the staging.
The show wouldn’t just aim to reprise the films. It would instead seek to immerse the audience in the saga’s atmosphere: a sun-drenched beach, karaoke, a nightclub, vividly colorful holidaymakers, and nods to the Flots Bleus campsite.
Fabien Onteniente has also floated the idea of renting costumes at the entrance, including Patrick Chirac’s infamous swim briefs. The concept draws on Mamma Mia! The Party, the immersive show staged in London, where audiences are immersed in an ABBA-inspired setting, with a meal, music, sketches and participatory moments.
The involvement of Thomas Jolly makes the project all the more unexpected. A leading figure in the theater scene, known for his ambitious stagings and for the Paris 2024 Olympic ceremonies, he would bring to Camping a know-how far removed from mere popular comedy. The challenge would be to transform a cult saga into a living experience, rather than simply stringing together familiar lines. Sets, audience movement, music, interactions: the adaptation would require real directorial work.
Back in 2006, the original Camping brought together Franck Dubosc, Gérard Lanvin, Mathilde Seigner and Claude Brasseur. With its two sequels, the franchise has racked up more than 12 million cinema admissions. That success explains why the universe remains ripe for more: Patrick Chirac, his sun-kissed glow, his expressive face, and his very personal take on vacations are still etched in the public memory.
What remains to be seen is whether the project will go all the way. At this stage, it’s a serious possibility rather than an official announcement. But the idea is already intriguing: after the big-screen run, Camping could well take the plunge into immersive storytelling.
