‘Brat Kids Carnival’ review

Saucy neo-circus and cabaret troupe Briefs has become something of a fixture in London these last few winters, and is back again this Yule with a brace of adults-only shows (‘Close Encounters’ and ‘Club Briefs’) that offer a naughty centrepiece to the outwardly twee Christmas village in Leicester Square.

Perhaps aware that they’re missing a demographic trick, the creatives behind Briefs – aka Briefs Factory – have also brought along another show, for the children (ages four-plus). ‘Brat Kids Carnival’ is same skill level, some of the same cast, but strictly U-rated content.

And it’s really a lot of fun. The jobs of children’s entertainer and cabaret star are kind of really only a nudge and a wink away from being the same thing, and the cast present 40 minutes of underage entertainment with giddy good cheer. Vicky Falconer Pritchard is our grungy fairy host, abetted by a camp American monkey (‘Mr Monkey’, apparently) plus various other moonlighting alt-cabaret pals, many drawn from the Briefs Factory ranks.

There is the expected hula-hooping, silks and flaming rings, but what’s great is that it feels like a proper, original show put together with care, not just a defanged spin on adult hits. Acts like a kooky dancing alien or a pair of human ‘flamingoes’ really hit the spot, as does some judicious audience interaction, including an open invitation to come up on stage and floss (taken up by many).

A couple of moments fall a bit flat – young children are the very devil for just staring blankly when the idea is for them to be making an encouraging noise. But the performers always power through gamely. ‘Brat Kids Carnival’ is a spot of genuine delight in the blasted capitalist hellscape that is central London at Christmas.