Briefs: The Classics | Briefs Factory

Briefs Factory is the stuff of local legend.

Born in the back of the Ahimsa House bookstore in West End as a one-off dirty cabaret in 2008, it quickly grew to heights the performance team could have only hoped for.

Those of us who were there that night immediately knew we were in for something special. That first night’s queer positive mish-mash cabaret of gender offending, circus, boylesque, drag and everything in-between touched on something in the zeitgeist. There was something in the high energy, high skills trash-baggery, the right mix of stupid and stupendous, the diversity of the cast and all-inclusive titillation of the performances that wowed that sweaty over-crowded room in West End.

This wasn’t your typical circus cabaret. We knew that as soon as we were greeted by Shivannah, the alter ego of Fez Fa’anana and the self-style six-foot bearded immigrant drag queen from Ipswich who implored us to get our drink tickets and make friends with those we were squished against, because we were in for a treat.  

Word spread after that night, and very soon the group affectionately known as the Briefs Boys started taking the rest of the country and world by storm.

Fast forward 14 years and CIRCFest Meanjin paid tribute to the OGs who started it all with the one-off cabaret, ‘Briefs: The Classics’.

As it should be, the sold-out Powerhouse audience are guided on our trip down memory lane by our host-with-the-most, Shivannah. She makes sure we acknowledge country in the one of the best ways, catches up all of the Briefs virgens about what to expect and makes sure that we are aware that all who are not in attendance will be forever jealousssssssssss of missing the fabulosity of the night. There are few MCs who can balance sharp political commentary, quick quips and making you feel like you’re one of the in crowd in the way that Fez can.

Our acts for the night are a mix of the core Briefs crew and regular collaborators from across the years. Louis Biggs somehow makes the Rubiks Cube and yo-yos both sexy and awkward and leaves us all wanting to be his special sock. Dale Woodbrige-Brown showcases why he’s been dubbed the Kamilaroi Cowboy, bringing lasso and whips back into fashion like there’s no tomorrow and leaving us in stitches with as little as a raised eyebrow. Davey Samford shows why he’s the king of deadpan and how to make plate-spinning high art. Kween Kong mixes high energy drag inspiration with some powerhouse dance moves. Neridah Waters takes all the class out of wine making and tap dancing in all the best ways. And Mark Winmill shows why he won the ‘King of Burlesque by effortlessly balancing trapeze with burlesque in an act that left the audience gagging for more.

And of course, they brought back the meat tray raffle, drawn by Mamma Tess Beck and Davey Samford. Let’s just say that we were all truly jealousssssssss that we didn’t win.

Special mention goes to the video presented by Fez’s brother Natano, former member of Briefs who is now taking the world by storm with his own collective, Casus Creations. The video shows Natano going through the 11 day Samoan tradition of get the pe'a tattoo. This tattoo covers the area from his back to his knees and is done through traditional Samoan tattooing instruments. As well as sharing why this was so important for Natano and his family, Shivannah let’s the audience know that Briefs has always been about turning the traditional freak shows and human zoos on their heads. That their passion has been able giving the power back to the ‘freaks’ to let them show their stories and their talents in their own ways. And we are all the better for it.

As a shameless Briefs groupie, I’d seen all the acts before, but that didn’t matter in the slightest. All the performers know how to work the crowd and respond to the audience’s energy, camping up acts and whipping us into a frenzied applause at the drop of a hat. And of course, Shivannah kept the show moving at a high pace with her winning commentary and stunning outfits sourced from op shops around the world.

14 years on, there are still few that can match Briefs Factory for a truly entertaining night out. Like every great Briefs Cabaret, it was a little loose and a whole lot of stupid. It was full of acts that will wow and titillate and that can even, more than occasionally, make you think. With Briefs Factory, we celebrate the freaks taking the power back for themselves and want to be part of their gang. And if that’s night a good reason for a night out, I don’t know what is. As a committed Briefs groupie, I’ll be in the front row every time they come to town. Make sure to join me if you don’t want to be jealoussssssss.

Here’s to another 14 years and many more, Brief Factory.

Wee side note: While this cabaret was an ode to where it all started, our local boys made good show no signs of slowing down.

In fact, Briefs Factory have gone through a renaissance in the last few years. Potentially, the combination of a few years of lockdown and having to fight for the right to use their own name and brand have reignited the fire in the team and they are currently producing some of their best works in years in Bite Club, Dirty Laundry and Bred.

Bite Club, their collaboration with Sahara Beck,  was the perfect antidote to COVID lockdowns. The camp celebration of connection with a twinge of melancholy and the gorgeous song stylings of Beck got me in the feels, and was one of the best shows of the last few years. Dirty Laundry adds an expanded line-up, including the powerhouse drag superstar Kween Kong, to the core team and ratches the production values up to 11, while still retaining that nasty touch of je ne sais quoi that keeps the audience coming back for more. And Bred, has the team exploring the art and artisty of First Nations and POC performers in more serious and hard-hitting show that still showcases the signature cheek and sass of Briefs.

All are must-see shows, so keep an eye out for the next time they’re in town.