Review: BRIEFS: BITE CLUB, Southbank Centre
Photo credit: Lachlan Douglas
After the cultural famine of the Covid years, the Southbank is back with a vengeance as a buzzing hive of activity. Next door to the Hayward Gallery’s current highly acclaimed ‘In The Black Fantastic’ exhibition, the Queen Elizabeth Hall is the temporary home to Australian creative collective Briefs and their latest show – Bite Club.
Bite Club is a showcase of irreverent drag, burlesque and circus performance – an eye-popping physical spectacle served with a hair flick and a knowing wink.
Fez Faanana (aka Shivannah) is the host and MC of the proceedings and even in the huge proscenium of the QEH, which severs the audience from the performers (not ideal for a cabaret show), Shivannah is warm, welcoming and holds a great rapport with the audience throughout the show.
The stand-out shining light of this show is Sahara Beck, the featured artist around whose original music the show is structured. Each performer appears to create almost an accompanying music video to her performances. Sahara Beck is miraculous – combining an ethereal affectation with a guttural, powerful voice, reminiscent of Bjork or Marina Diamandis. I couldn’t get out of the theatre fast enough to follow her on Spotify!
Another highlight is Captain Kidd’s extraordinary, anxiety-inducing trapeze routine suspended over an over-sized coupe of water, which preceded the interval (“they probably have to mop the stage”, I leaned over and whispered to my girlfriend).
This is a very different energy to the drag performers you will see in the bars of Dalston – this is one step away from a Vegas residency.
It was wonderful to see the MC bring onto stage their stage and wardrobe manager, who received perhaps the biggest standing ovation of the night.
A glitzy, glam showcase of jaw-dropping physical theatre with musical talent that is set to make waves.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett
Briefs: Bite Club plays at the Southbank Centre until 31 July, with tickets available here.