Who is Fez Faanana?
Fez Faanana is an idiot, a clown, a drag artiste, a dancer/prancer, a Samoan (who is not a security guard, football player nor a kfc cashier), an Australian, a legal immigrant, an antagonist, a molly-coddler, an orchestrator, the love child of the bearded lady and ring master and the creative director of Briefs Factory.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would have kept playing rugby league while pursuing a performance and creative career. To keep my dad happy and to get a good perve in the change room!
Who inspires you and why?
The uniqueness of Briefs Factory as well as our productions is the way we celebrate the dysfunctional marriage of theatre, circus, dance, drag and burlesque with the simplicity of a variety show format. In this way we/I am inspired by the artistry of storytelling, the power of (political) theatre, the irreverence of comedy, the sophistication of contemporary art, the decadence of fashion, the grunt of circus, the show(wo)manship of good ol’ rsl entertainment and the rule breaking of drag.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
The freedom of food can be the key to happiness. I think through access to nourishment the world would be in a good place to start mending itself.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Favourite holiday destination so far is Italy. The food, the wine, the hospitality, the drama, the passion, the arm choreography that goes with conversation and the love!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I don’t really live anywhere for more than a month. I grew up in Ipwsich QLD. The feature attration apart from centrelink is the op shops.
What are you currently reading?
Twitterature: The World’s Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less Paperback.
What are you currently listening to?
Studio one women.
Happiness is?
Fried chicken.
What does the future hold for you?
More touring, more fried chicken, new shows and new shoes, more exciting things from the Briefs Factory.
Fez is the Creative Director of the Briefs Factory and will be performing in Briefs: the second coming at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre: 12 November – 5 December 2015. For more information, visit: www.briefsfactory.com for details.
Image: Fez Faanana