Melbourne’s CBD has just gotten a whole lot spicier and magical with the reopening of Spiegel Haus Melbourne for its second season, just in time for Melbourne Fringe Festival. Following a successful debut season, which saw shows like Blanc de Blanc Encore and Maho Magic Bar stun audiences with an array of entertainment, they now present a raunchy display of circus, drag and burlesque in Briefs: The Works. This daring production showcases an exciting array of talents from the high-flying to the sexy and sultry.
Situated within this dimly lit and velvet-draped spiegeltent unfolds one of the most risqué productions on the Fringe lineup. To put it simply; talent is through the roof, while clothes are optional. The performers don’t leave much to the imagination, stripping down to their “briefs” and beyond while impressing with circus acts that require an immense level of technical skill and experience. There’s a diverse range of acts that make up this snappy production hosted by Fez Faanana as Shivannah, who is tasked with keeping the audience in check and the show moving forward while delivering laughs aplenty.
Balance (pun intended) is one of the driving forces of this production; both in terms of the complexity of the circus acts but also the variety of segments that fill the 90-minute runtime. Flipping between jaw-dropping circus acts and ridiculous drag-fuelled hijinks, the production keeps the audience laughing, clapping and in awe throughout the entire show. On the circus side of things; the acts are beyond impressive. Jess Love shows off her expertise with hula hoops and the flying trapeze, dazzling the crowd while injecting her own quirky personality and silly mayhem into the performance. Diesel Darling, Miss Burlesque Australia herself, impresses with a fiery sword-swallowing routine that is a sight to behold.
Bringing the best of both worlds is Nastia, showcasing her strength, acrobatic expertise and alluring drag queen presence. She’s one of the many that command the stage, with the likes of Rowan Thomas, Benjamin Butterfly and Dylan Rodriguez all combining for a variety of exceptional circus routines and raunchy dance numbers.
The unique must-see angle of this production comes from the no-holds-barred approach, off-script conversational hosting and beautiful display of queer pride. As much as this production is a display of sexy burlesque and daring circus acts, it’s also a celebration of all things queer and being comfortable in who you are as a person. It’s a piece of social commentary befitting of the production, especially considering the heavy drag element at the forefront of nearly every one of its acts. The off-script conversational element comes from Shivannah’s hosting, which plays off cultural stereotypes and off-kilter comedy to loosen up the crowd and get everyone into the spirit of the occasion.
One of the early announcements from Shivannah is that the louder the crowd, the more clothes come off. This is hardly an understatement as the production makes the most of its 18+ rating with a few instances of full frontal nudity. If you’re seeing a drag-led show, you should be leaving any prudish mindset at the door by default, but especially in this fearlessly body-positive romp.
Tickle your senses with the sensory delight that is Briefs: The Works, filling Spiegel Haus Melbourne with an array of laser lighting, spotlights, booming pop tunes and a hazy atmosphere. The ensemble of performances makes this a must-see show, giving you all the more reason to return to Spiegel Haus Melbourne in its sophomore season. If you’re looking for more opportunities to visit this still excitingly fresh venue, browse the many shows they have on offer HERE.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Briefs: The Works is now playing at Spiegel Haus Melbourne through to October 18th, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets, head HERE.
Reviewer attended on Thursday October 2nd, 2026
Photo credit: Benjamin Cross
