Brisbane Festival’s relaunched The Art Boat has had a radical makeover. With the Briefs Factory crew putting the naughty into nautical, it’s gone from arty to party cruise.

Anyone unsure about finding South Bank’s Pontoon B departure point need not worry – it’s impossible to miss the giant technicolour tentacles entwining the vessel.

By contrast, Brisbane’s Art Boat offerings in 2021 and 2022 were “ethereal” and “celestial” visual art installations orchestrated with music.

And, I have to admit, that sounded more my speed than The Art Boat, which carries a warning of sexual innuendo, partial nudity and coarse language. (While the disrobing leaves little to the imagination in later timeslots, there’s a family-friendly version on Saturday at 3pm.)

When it comes to live performance, though, you never know until you go, and this proved a great example of that. The audience cross-section attending last Friday’s 5pm show reflected the broad appeal of Briefs Factory’s “floating cabaret” of drag, burlesque and circus.

Starting with the warm welcome aboard and pre-show cast interaction, the extra ingredient that’s made Briefs Factory a staple of Brisbane live performance over the past 15-plus years is clear – disarming humour.

Laughs flow from the commentary of drag character Shivannah (director/co-founder Fez Faanana) and physical antics that are playful and often self-parodying.

Faanana’s top-shelf hosting skills constitute the glue that holds it all together – along with irresistible dance anthems spun by DJ Candy Suite (Candice Lorrae), which continue between sets.

Our 75-minute journey to the Story Bridge and back presented hula hoop guru and fellow Briefs co-founder Mark Winmill, burlesque performers Diesel Darling and special guest Strawberry Siren, dancer Brett Rosengreen – who could shred cheese on his abs – and Rowan Thomas.

All are accomplished entertainers, but I rated Thomas “most inventive” with his application of physics to execute impressive “no-hands” feats – shedding his pants while on the cyr wheel, then later bouncing down the catwalk on his backside.

Few shows would likely generate such enthusiastic audience participation in a Conga line and the Macarena when invited, demonstrating what a hoot it is. For me, this carefree lighthearted outing proved the perfect tonic amid the festival frenzy.

The Art Boat continues until September 21, Pontoon B, Clem Jones Promenade, South Bank 

brisbanefestival.com.au

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