EDINBURGH 2016 - Review: BRIEFS FACTORY PRESENTS: SWEATSHOP, Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, 12 August

The Briefs brand is on the rise at the Edinburgh Fringe. After touring the acclaimed macho in mascara mashup original show Briefs in all its drag, circus and comedy glory, 2016 sees the introduction of the five-star Hot Brown Honey, and this new late-night addition Sweatshop.

Instead of a brand new standalone show, Sweatshop is a 'Best of the Fringe' equivalent for cabaret. Acts from Briefs repertoire showcase alongside other sexy and shocking Fringe performers: a titillating tasting board of what you can see in Edinburgh this year.

The concept is really exciting - a way to promote shows, whet people's appetite, and push the naughtiness up another level due to the show time. In practice, it does not work, mainly because of the venue. The huge circus tent is bursting with talent, but it gets lost and feels far too spacious. Especially with the name of Sweatshop, the show needs a more intimate, hot, sweaty, grungy venue - something that feels like a dirty little secret, the hottest ticket in town party where Fringe acts get to let their hair down in the audience and on stage.

It's an easy thing to work on for next year. The performers give their all, and there is a lot to give, but when you can see bums and boobs at 3pm on the Fringe, it needs to work on the atmosphere to make earn its late-night hedonistic billing.

Miss Frisky is the show's ringleader, with a voice that blasts through the speakers like a confetti cannon. As performer and compere, she is electric. The comedian on a treadmill section is a great addition, and sticks to the 'theme' of Sweatshop, which does not happen often during the night.

Briefs Factory Presents: Sweatshop is like biting into a mouth-watering doughnut, and finding no jam filling inside. The talent is not to be faulted, but your appetite is not satisfied.

Briefs Factory Presents: Sweatshop runs at Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows until 22 August.

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