One of the greatest things about the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival is the choice of various cabaret, burlesque and drag productions peppered throughout the city. One show that has earned high acclaim for its adults-only queer cabaret, acrobats and hunky men in briefs – is Briefs.
Having successfully toured globally for the past ten years, the ‘Briefs Factory’ has earned many awards for its notable style of genre-defying, political party punk.
Briefs: Dirty Laundry Photo: Brendan McCarthy
Thomas Worrel, the Dance Captain who exhibits a great hanging hoop routine, sums the show up as an all-male cluster fiasco with all the best bits of Cabaret, Circus, Drag, Burlesque, Comedy, Sideshow, gymnastics and dance.
“Briefs is a celebration of masculine and feminine energy,” says Worrel.
“It’s about what makes us different and unique and it’s a party where everyone’s invited!”
“We’re all about bringing everyone together to discover how amazing we all are, and how important every individual is. While we have incredible skills, tricks and pumping tracks, Briefs is also silly. We take not being serious very seriously, as well as sometimes being serious!”
“While we have a large drag representation in the company, we also have a strong masculine representation,” – Thomas Worrel
Having first premiered ten years ago, the Briefs ‘flagship’ project has gone on to create Club Briefs, The Second Coming, Bite Club and now Dirty Laundry. The stage includes a simple laundromat setting with some washer/dryers, but it’s what comes ‘out of the cake’ and onto the catwalk – and what they do that creates an enthralling atmosphere. But Briefs is not merely an LGBTIQ+ burlesque show.
“Briefs has a strong LGBTQIA+ representation, but it isn’t a show about queer people for queer people,” says Worrel.
The production undoubtedly has a drag queen/drag king quality with some very pretty boys to boot. But it also reeks of masculinity with muscles, tattoos and plenty of fur.
“Briefs is a lot of things and drag cabaret is just one aspect,” says Worrel.
“Just like drag itself Briefs can’t be put into one box or given a single label. While we have a large drag representation in the company, we also have a strong masculine representation, with some that blur the line.”
“We carry a sense of strength and masculinity that transcends gender,” – Luke Hubbard
“Drag has evolved as an art form,” says Worrel.
“It’s now much more than simply Dressing to Resemble A Girl (DRAG!). Queens can have beards and boys can wear bikinis. Welcome to Briefs, where we are all accepted and celebrated!”
Briefs: Dirty Laundry Photo: Brendan McCarthy
“It’s a show for everyone and there is something for everyone to take away. Laughter is universal. I’m an aerialist and in Dirty Laundry I perform an Aerial Hoop solo which is an emotive piece and almost a palate cleanser from the party-pumping atmosphere throughout the remainder of the show.”
“My work is a combination of strength, flexibility and dynamic movement. What we do is highly physically demanding. We ask a lot of our bodies and for me, there’s a high risk of serious injury. But everything we do is well rehearsed and calculated.”
Briefs: Dirty Laundry Photo: Brendan McCarthy
The show is led by Fez Faanana aka Shivanana, known for his great calves in stilettos! His line-up in the production features the classic Briefs boys and new boys – and their toys. Don’t be surprised if a lollypop lands in your lap. With classic briefs and new briefs, we must wonder will there be boxer briefs?!
Also in the cast is Luke Hubbard aka ‘Nastia’, who describes his role as an acrobatic drag queen.
“My skills include costume making, designing, make-up, wig stylist and circus performer,” says Hubbard.
“I feel Briefs is quite masculine because all of us boys know who we are as men, especially with the majority being gay men. Even if some of us wear wigs, lashes and heels and present as very feminine, we carry a sense of strength and masculinity that transcends gender. It’s a gateway into our fabulous world and everyone is invited. I’ve always said that Briefs is a queer show for straight people and their response is always great. If they weren’t already an ally, I feel they will become one after our show.”
Soap suds, juggling balls and a bit of magic complimented by firm pecs, loose tongues and tight butts in the air make the Briefs compelling enough, but as always there is the fun element of drag as well. Don’t be shocked if you win the raffle, which takes you on stage to be amidst the boys themselves – getting all their attention. Not quite the pub chook raffle!
“I hope our audiences walk away feeling refreshed and energised after they leave,” says Hubbard.
“If they have sore cheeks after laughing so much, that would be fair too.” Every character bears their heart and soul on the stage, which I feel is very endearing to our audience.
As Dance Captain, Worrel shares the same sentiment as his dedicated team.
“I hope people leave amazed when they see what we are capable of,” he says.
“Capable by way of being true to ourselves. Life is meant to be enjoyed and we all should be celebrated for what we bring. At the very least I hope at least one dumb joke can break through!”
Briefs: Dirty Laundry is playing at the Sydney Spiegeltent from 20 February to 15 March
For more visit: sydneyspiegeltent.com
