Masterfully toeing the line between risk and risqué, Briefs: The Works seductively brings in Melbourne’s thrill-chasing late-night crowds to its brand-new, magnificent Spiegel Haus.
Equal parts charisma and camp, Briefs: The Works is the kind of spectacle that detonates from the get-go. From the moment you step into the jewel-box glow of the iconic Spiegeltent, this sultry, intoxicating show unleashes with a relentless parade of Briefs Factory International’s greatest hits.
Long-time favourite numbers blend with fresh additions, balancing danger with delight through a seamless mix of drag, cabaret, circus and burlesque.
With razor-sharp wit and commanding poise, MC Fez Faanana prowls the room like a ringmaster of chaos. He holds the audience captive as he effortlessly moves between laughter and earnestness.
What follows in his wake are two riotous hours of fun, ferocious mayhem. The company’s brilliant cast is truly extraordinary, bursting at the seams with jaw-dropping talent showcasing queer excellence.
Pole virtuoso Benjamin Butterfly kicks off the evening with an alluring, glitter-soaked pole dancing routine. He sets the bar sky-high (pun intended!) with his impressive poses.
Aerialist Dylan Rodriguez gracefully carves the air with gravity-defying precision, a striking dance of strength and elegance. He twists, unfurls, and becomes one with the silk crisscrossing around him.
Sequinned songstress Hollywould Star serenades the audience with sultry showtunes, featuring a classy reimagining of the Kylie Minogue classic Confide in Me.
Drag queens Nastia and Bendy Ben stun in their respective numbers, an opulent mix of glitz, glam and camp intertwined with gymnastic splits and somersaults. It’s all flawlessly executed whilst clad in towering stilettos.
A definite highlight about midway through the performance features Butterfly, Nastia and Rodriguez simultaneously showcasing their prowess. Powerful bodies tease, twist and gyrate mid-air against a thumping beat. Faanana, luminescent at the centre as radiant alter-ego Shivannah, struts confidently on a treadmill, hair blowing in the wind, her eyes intensely locking in the audience’s gaze. Truly unforgettable.
The evening culminates with a decadent, show-stopping performance by hula-hoop extraordinaire and Burlesque King Mark “Captain Kidd” Winmill. No spoilers, I promise: but at some point, the stage, and the audience, get a REALLY good soaking, in the best way possible. This dazzling finale leaves you buzzing long after the cast takes their final bow, as the night kicks on.
Bold, boundary-pushing, and just a little bit wicked in all the right ways, Briefs: The Works shows a little skin and overflows with heart, offering an escapism that’s brimming with warmth. This remarkable experience feels truly at home headlining Melbourne’s latest destination for cutting-edge live arts.
Briefs: The Works runs to 19 April at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. 217 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Vic 3000.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.spiegelhausmelb.com/events/briefstheworks
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/briefsfactory/ and https://www.instagram.com/spiegelhausmelb/
Photo credits: Sean Breadsell
