BLYSH: BRIEFS THE SECOND COMING | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Fri 24 July
Stiletto’s, fearless make-up and stripteases… are the only things that will launch you into a wonderful weekend.
All male burlesque company, Briefs, shatters the stereotypes of Australians with Glitter, feathers and grinding mussels. Briefs, the second coming is one of the most enjoyable show I’ve seen this year. Starting from humble beginnings, Briefs went from staging club nights in Brisbane bars to storming the Edinburgh Festival and now they have strutted their way into Cardiff for a short run as part of the Blysh Festival.
Compare, Shivannah, takes you on a ride of your life! Saying he has the gift of the gab is an understatement, his ‘I don’t give a hell’ attitude had me in absolute stitches. Also his costumes were immaculate and extended to the rest of the cast. To be honest I actually looked forward to each costume change and what wonderful creation would come next! Another highlight of the show was the sexy trapeze solo, which left most of the audience hot a flustered.
But my absolute favourite part of the show was the feather fan dance choreographed to INXS Need You Tonight. Growing up in Australia I had a massive obsession with Michael Hutchins as a teenager and this performance literally had me in a psychedelic trance with glow in the dark feathers flying around the stage.
Most drag or burlesque shows fall into having to rely heavily on humour because of their lack of talent during dance or circus set pieces, but Briefs has the best of both worlds, combining some of the funniest one-liners you’ll hear and circus and dance skill that will blow you mind. I would highly recommend travelling up to London to check out their run at the South Bank Centre.
words JAYDON MARTIN
