Briefs: The Works is playing at Melbourne’s Spiegel Haus until October 18. More information and tickets via spiegelhausmelb.com.
Combining drag, comedy, music, circus acts and burlesque, Briefs: The Works is a cheeky show not for the prudish or soft hearted.
I’d heard great things both in conversion and from our writer who attended earlier this year, so it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why I felt so underwhelmed. Maybe it was the torrential rainfall outside dampening everyone’s spirits, but something felt off. And while I don’t dismiss the talents of the cast as it takes skill to do what they do, I’ve seen better.
I was most looking forward to one of the acts involving splashing around in an oversized cocktail glass, but it was sadly missing from our show.
Some of the comedy fell flat too, like when reading audience confessions. While definitely funny, the performers didn’t elevate the material in any way and I was left wanting more, especially when the segment played out twice in what is a relatively short show at 80 minutes. Then again, I’m difficult to please and humour after all is subjective.
However, my biggest nitpick is in the staging and the inability to always see what’s happening depending on where you’re seated. Fortunately, most of the action plays out on stage, but I’ve seen other shows that have better utilised Spiegel Haus’s unique structural design. Tiny tweaks would make for a better overall viewing experience.
There were still standout moments.
Fez Faanana is lively as host, whose self-depreciating and sarcastic humour warmed up the slightly reserved and apprehensive crowd.
The show is well structured, flowing smoothly from Diesel Darling’s daring fire act, Nastia’s stunning acrobatics and soaring aerial work from Benjamin Butterfly, Amy Lee and Dylan Rodriquez.
Rowan Thomas commands the giant metal wheel, while Jace Gonçalves dazzles with hoops and skipping rope.
I especially enjoyed the group numbers, with the feathered opening number being incredibly strong. The costumes too are striking… even though they don’t stay on for long.
Audience participation is another of the show’s greatest strengths. Notably when the lucky raffle ticket winner was brought on stage and the performers gave her a prize she won’t soon forget.
While Briefs wasn’t as polished as expected, there’s a reason the show has stuck around for 18 years. It’s bright, bold and celebrates freedom, self-expression and the human form in a pushing boundaries and unapologetic kind of way.
3.5/5 STARS
/ Photos supplied: Benjamin Cross
