Speigle Haus
Melbourne Fringe Festival.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Stars
The lights are dim and the music is pumping with late 90s dance music as we enter the world of the Spiegel Haus. Dancers, Drag Queens and Acrobats roam the octagonal room, raffle tickets selling like we’ve walked into an RSL chook raffle.
The lights go down and we are greeted by the most gorgeous Samoan Drag queen to ever grace the stage.
“Oh, my God, there you go, gentlemen. Ladies, gentlemen, gentlemen, unforeseen whatever fucking genitals in between, that’s known as his business, but you’re owning my rights? Catholic, Phil, come on, man”
At the microphone is Ringmaster, Master of Ceremonies, Drag Queen or whatever suits the occasion, is a self proclaimed ugly red dress is the fantastic Fez Faanana as Shivannah, who immediately sets the tone for the show. The Samoan performer is immediately likeable, funny and charming all at once.
The cast open with a beautiful ostrich feather fan dance, setting the tone for what is to come.
However, nothing can prepare the audience for the splendour of the show they are about to witness. The cast move through acts that defy gravity, are shocking and splendid all at once.
From lip syncing by the beautiful almost- Drag Race contestant Nastia to the gorgeous silks performance by the impressive Dylan Rodriguez, the show is jaw dropping at every act.
However, be prepared this is a burlesque show after all, and nudity is guaranteed.
Performers will strip off, but it’s all done in good humour and taste.
After the intermission, the raffle is drawn, the audience wait with bated breath to find out what the prize is. We are left in stitches, as the winner collects her “ prize” and the audience is “ jealous”.
The Australian winner of Miss Burlesque Diesel Darling gives a gasping performance, fire twirling and sword swallowing in a gorgeous beaded corset, making it look effortless. She is beautiful, and the performance is mesmerising.
Wrapping up the show for the final act, Mark “Captain Kidd” Winmill performs a both humorous and entertaining act with an oversized hula hoop- strip to end on a high note.
Briefs is a fantastic celebration of burlesque, dance and the human form. It defies gravity at times, and is stunning to watch. The cast work well together, having toured the show for 18 seasons. With a host as entertaining as Fez Faanana to pull it all together, the performance is a fantastic display of talent. He really shines as the MC, his jokes about being Samoan finding the mark each time and landing perfectly.
Sometimes the world can be a dark place, and even with the rain bucketing down outside, Briefs brings a little magic to this corner of Melbourne, something we can all be thankful for.
Briefs is a triumphant performance, that even as you leave the show will have you talking about it long after it’s ended.
Words by Amanda Lee Starkey
Image credit:Benjamin Cross
Briefs
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