Briefs encounter is idiotically fabulous
Briefs: Bite Club
Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows (Venue 360), until 27 August
With their combination of circus, boylesque, queer mischief and fabulous idiocy, the Briefs gang have become Fringe staples.
At the start of this bang-on return to the festival, host Shivannah takes a moment to recognise how much things have changed since their last stint here in 2019, and even to ask indulgence if they seem out of practice. They needn’t worry on that front – this is just as tight, pacy and fun as previous outings, with a couple of new twists.
Hosted under the big top at the Underbelly’s Circus Hub, Bite Club doesn’t stray far from a winning formula. The night is topped and tailed by group numbers, the opener boasting spectacular feathered outfits and the closer showcasing each member of the troupe doing their solo thing simultaneously in a whirl of crimson overstimulation. In between, there’s an aristocratic twist to Mark ‘Captain Kidd’ Winmill’s iconic aquatic trapeze act, a dynamic, Fosse-esque striptease from puckish Brett Rosengreen, and gorgeous aerial work from Thom Worrell. Cheeky Louis Biggs, meanwhile, has been working on his ball control, and also his juggling skills. Each is on great form and the company’s palpable camaraderie gives it all an extra glow.
The central novelty here is the addition of singer-songwriter Sahara Beck, whose live vocals form a throughline for the whole show. Beck is a potent addition, characterful and versatile, moving across soulful, rocky and playful modes and handily holding her own in a solo number. (Given all this, a peculiarly selfcongratulatory storybookthemed interlude seems a bit unnecessary.) At once friendly, formidable and idiotically fabulous, it’s good to have the troupe back.