EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Briefs Factory: Sweatshop

BWW speaks to Fez Faanan about 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show Briefs Factory: Sweatshop.

Tell us a bit about Sweatshop

Sweatshop in the newest production from Briefs Factory, who brought the flagship cult variety production BRIEFS in 2011. It's a late-night variety show with Miss Frisky (Frisky & Mannish) as host & boss lady of the factory floor with a production line of Australia's finest variety stars on the touring circuit. In true Briefs Factory style SWEATSHOP will be a shotgun wedding of circus, drag, burlesque and music with a tongue-in-cheek expose on the world's largest creative sweatshop: Edinburgh Fringe.

What sets Sweatshop apart from other burlesque at the Fringe?

Since 2008 Briefs Factory has been developing and refining a unique brand of physical theatre that encompasses the rapture of circus, drag, burlesque and comedy. SWEATSHOP follows this brand with a fresh calibre of arts to boast including Missy Frisky who is a powerhouse you must witness as she claws her way to legendary diva status, the iconic, award-winning and self-proclaimed Sex Clown Betty Grumble, Jarred Dewey of Circa fame who is debuting his solo work as an aerialist and contortionist at the top of his game, and finally there is Brett Rosengreen, who brings the sweat with his iconic flair for the art of tease.

What sets this show apart? Definitely the recipe of artists and the ridiculous amount of talent that will combust on stage.

What have you been up to since your last run at the Edinburgh Fringe?

This year we are back at Edinburgh with three productions! Briefs has grown from a touring show into Briefs Factory, a production house that develops and tours new work like SWEATSHOP as well as presenting and producing idiosyncratic productions like Hot Brown Honey, which is set for its international debut at Edinburgh Fringe. Briefs has been trucking along finding new places to glitter-bomb and returning to places that keep insisting on more glitter. We have clocked some serious frequent flyer points. Here is a list of where we have had the pleasure of playing: London, Dublin, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong, Seychelles, Auckland, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Latitude Festival and Glastonbury Festival.

Who would you recommend Briefs Sweatshop to?

Set in the Spiegeltent at the Underbelly Circus Hub, we think SWEATSHOP will be where you can kick off your party, or it could be your last drink and dance-off for the evening. This is a variety show with some of the best cabaret stars around! People know what they want in Edinburgh during Fringe - if you want to see decadent burlesque, skilful showmanship, hard-working artists, fierce vocals, canny conversation, iconic circus, memorable and risque creativity, this is the show for you.

What exactly is involved in an "intimate yo-yo trick"?

The intimate yo-yo trick is featured in Briefs which is playing at Assembly Hall. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but if you want to see heartthrob and maths freak Louis Biggs bring Rubik's cubes, yo-yos and burlesque with balls to the stage then be there to confirm the rumours!

Timings and ticket information for Briefs Factory: Sweatshop are available on the edfringe website.

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