Hot Brown Honey has been taking the world by storm. British singer-comedian Bryony Kimmings described the show as not only great theatre or cabaret, but a subversion.

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“It’s a subversion of knowledge that you hold dear, or a might sucker punch to the things you thought theatre was capable of..” Kimmings said.

High praise from an artist who is remembered for taking audiences on a journey so good she could persuade them to give a clipping of their pubic hair before they left the theatre.

Busty Beats, who is the show’s musical director, and Lisa Fa’alafi, the show’s director called OUTinPerth late one night after they came off stage in Vancouver. As soon as their Canadian performances have wrapped they’ll be heading straight to Perth’s Fringe World.

“We like to call it our World Pollination Tour” Busty Beats said of the show’s global success which has seen it gain rave reviews everywhere they’ve traveled to. Created by the same team behind the massively successful Briefs, the all female show is something audiences have embraced.

“It’s a theatrical explosion of colour, culture and controversy.” Busty declares. Fa’alafi describes the show as a rollercoaster ride that gives people the opportunity to view the world from a different perspective.

“It might give you a moment where you reflect on your own privilege in the world, but it’s also a crazy party. We are trying to motivate people to stand up, rise up, speak up, make noise.”

The director says this is not a show where people sit politely and watch, this a show where you get involved.

“This is a show where a lot of the issues are pretty personal and political, and we’re making a big deal about women speaking up, but we want the audience to feel that they too can get up and make a some noise.” Fa’alafi said.

The cast members said they were glad the issue of respecting women and allowing their voices to be heard has been at the forefront of public debate recently, describing the show they’ve taken around the world for the last four years as part of that conversation.

The show also features Perth performer Ofa Fotu, best known for as the singer out the front of Odette Mercy and the Soul Kings.

“Ofa showcases her incredible vocals, dances and is incredibly funny in the show.” Busty Beats said “You get to see another side of Ofa Fotu in this show!”

The show has been getting great feedback especially from women of colour. “Sometimes after the show they are almost in tears,” Fa’alafi said. “They’re so happy because they see themselves reflected on the stage, but it is a celebration of people.”

Hot Brown Honey is at Fringe World from 8-25 February, tickets available from Fringe World.

Graeme Watson