Velvet Inferno is the latest incarnation of the wildly successful Velvet franchise, following in the sequined footsteps of Velvet and Velvet Rewired. Now igniting the stage of the Sydney Opera House, it once again proves that audiences love an outrageous, high-energy celebration of disco and circus that’s unapologetic camp. On that front, Velvet Inferno delivers in spades.
Visually, the production is a feast. Sequins shimmer beneath vibrant lighting, extravagant costumes explode with colour, and every production number feels determined to outdo the last. A paper-thin storyline loosely links the musical numbers together, but it’s quickly forgotten as the next spectacular act takes over.
The only element that detracted from the experience on opening night was the sound mix. While the backing tracks were pumping and the energy in the room was electric, they frequently overpowered the vocalists, making much of the lyrical content difficult to understand. Even Marcia Hines’ powerhouse voice couldn’t consistently rise above the mix. It’s the sort of opening-night balancing issue I’m sure the sound team will have fine-tuned before tonight’s audience takes their seats.
Leading the company is the incomparable Marcia Hines, whose effortless stage presence reminds everyone why she remains one of Australia’s greatest entertainers. Her vocals are flawless, rich and powerful, effortlessly commanding the Studio Theatre. Every appearance is met with thunderous applause, and she anchors the production with warmth, charisma and an undeniable star quality.
Brendan Maclean brings exactly the brand of delightful chaos audiences have come to expect. Equal parts comedian, vocalist and master of ceremonies, he embraces the absurdity of the evening with infectious enthusiasm. I never imagined I needed to hear Staying Alive performed on the ukulele, but somehow it becomes one of the night’s highlights. It’s quirky, unexpected and brilliantly executed; the Gibb brothers would undoubtedly approve.
KYE impresses with consistently strong vocals, bringing polish and confidence to every performance, while Emma Feliciano and Mateja Sardelis deserve enormous recognition as the hardest-working performers on the stage. Singing and dancing through what feels like almost every number, their stamina is extraordinary. They transition seamlessly between featured vocals, intricate choreography and supporting the ensemble, maintaining an infectious energy from beginning to end.
No Velvet production would be complete without its world-class circus artists, and Velvet Inferno assembles another exceptional line-up. Zoe Marshall’s breathtaking aerial and hair-hanging performances are equal parts elegant and terrifying, leaving the audience gasping in disbelief. Yevhenii and Vlada, performing as Duo Stardust, deliver a mesmerising roller-skating act that combines breathtaking speed, trust and precision in a routine that feels almost impossible to comprehend. Meanwhile, Oleg Tartarynov’s flying pole routine showcases remarkable athleticism and strength, adding yet another visual highlight to an already overflowing evening of spectacle.
Then there’s Craig Reid, whose unexpected appearance injects another welcome burst of comedy into the production. His impeccable comic timing earns some of the biggest laughs of the evening and perfectly complements the show’s wonderfully over-the-top nature.
Velvet Inferno may not reinvent the formula established by its predecessors, but it doesn’t need to. It knows exactly what it is: a glitter-soaked, disco-fuelled spectacle packed with extraordinary singers, fearless acrobats and enough sequins to light up Circular Quay. If you’re looking for a fun night out that leaves you grinning from ear to ear, Velvet Inferno is exactly the ticket.
– The other Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig is an international performer and has established himself as a trusted theatre specialist on the Sydney Arts Scene. While he understands the technical side of theatre, Dan writes for the everyday theatregoer (unlike some of those more prominent publications). When not in the audience, he loves to travel the world and try new gins.
Velvet Inferno runs for 75 minutes (no interval) and plays at the Studio, Sydney Opera House through 13 September 2026. Tickets are available through the Sydney Opera House.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were guests of Sydney Opera House.
Image credit: Ken Leanfore
