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EdFringe 2017 – Briefs Factory: Sweatshop at Assembly George Square Gardens

August 9, 2017 by Emma Brand Leave a Comment

Review of: Briefs Factory: Sweatshop
Price:
£16.50

Reviewed by: Emma Brand
Rating:
3
On August 9, 2017
Last modified:August 10, 2017

Summary:

A collection of high quality performances, but not a cohesive show.

More Details

“Sweatshop” is back for a second year, complete with a new foreman, “Michael Angelo”. It features a slightly different line up to last year, but old favourites such as Betty Grumble, with her fusion of clowning and burlesque, give the show a familiar warmth and humour.

The show opens with a glorious burlesque routine, and goes from strength to strength with polished aerial and acrobatic performances, and a dirty Can-Can from Betty. There were two particularly standout routines. In one, a performer sat inside a giant cocktail glass, twirling giant cocktail umbrellas with her feet. In the other, a performer danced in white wings that became a moving projector screen. Both of these moments really showcased the sophistication and originality of this company.

By contrast, the “sweatshop” element of the show felt a little clumsy; we were reminded between acts in quite a haphazard way that performing is like slave labour, especially (nudge, wink) at the Edinburgh Fringe. From the company that really delved into a strong theme with Hot Brown Honey, it was a little disappointing to find that  the theme of Sweatshop was really fairly superficial, and not thought through to anywhere near the same extent. What we instead had was a collection of incredibly high class acts, but little to link them in a meaningful way. I left feeling as if I had watched several mini shows, and while they were each brilliant in their own way, a more cohesive show would have been more engaging.

Emma Brand

Author: Emma Brand

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Edinburgh Fringe 2017

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  • Emma Brand

    Emma Brand
    Contributor

  • August 9th, 2017
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