The original production of Velvet first shook its groove thang at the 2015 Adelaide Fringe Festival. Since then, the cabaret-circus confection has delighted audiences here and overseas with its winning mix of classic disco songs and circus acts.

The cast of Velvet Inferno, Sydney Opera House Studio, 2026. Photo © Ken Leanfore

Starring the one and only Marcia Hines as The Diva, Velvet has returned in a couple of new iterations – Velvet Rewired and now Velvet Inferno – with different vocalists and circus performers joining the show over the years.

Conceived and directed by Craig Ilott, with musical direction by Joe Accaria and production design by James Browne, Velvet was inspired by New York’s famous Studio 54 nightclub.

Performed on a catwalk against a backwall of coloured lights, it includes a loose narrative about a lonely outsider looking for a place to fit in, with the circus performers representing the denizens of the nightclub.

Previously portrayed by Country Mike – who is now the owner of the club (but still begging to be set free) – the new arrival is played in Velvet Inferno by R&B singer KYE (in the role of Gloria).

It’s a skimpy storyline; so skimpy, in fact, that most audience members seem oblivious to it, merely wondering why the character looks so lost and miserable at first before perking up after singing Enough is Enough with The Diva. Not to worry, it hardly matters.

The infectious disco soundtrack keeps the show pumping and the feet tapping, with classic anthems such as Play That Funky Music, Shake Your Groove Thang, Raining Men, Don’t Leave Me This Way, Greatest Dancer, I’m Every Woman and Disco Inferno among others.

As ever, Hines commands the stage, her fierce, fabulous vocals and showbiz pizzazz making her every inch the disco queen.

Brendan Maclean, who played Country Mike in the original production, returns to the revised role, strutting his stuff and then changing the pace with a quiet, laid-back version of Staying Alive, played on ukulele.

KYE and the two shimmying Sirens, Emma Feliciano and Mateja Sardelis, also help turn the beat around with impressive vocals.

Craig Reid, aka Hula Boy, in Velvet Inferno, Sydney Opera House Studio, 2026. Photo © Ken Leanfore

Meanwhile, the circus performers are all terrific. Joy of joys, the adorably funny Craig Reid, aka Hula Boy – who has performed in the show from the beginning – is back, spinning hula hoops and dishing up the most brilliantly clever, hilariously funny quick-change routine.

Roller skaters Yevhenii and Vlada (who perform as Duo Stardust) have the audience holding their breath as they spin around the small circular stage at dizzying speed. Aerialist Oleg Tatarynov makes magic on a flying pole before segueing into a splashy bathtub routine, while Zoë Marshall does an amazing aerial routine hanging by her hair.

On opening night, the sound mix was unbalanced, with the pumping beat drowning out the vocals at times, but Matthew Marshall’s dazzling lighting and Amy Campbell’s snappy choreography are the perfect fit, enhancing the funky fun.

Velvet Inferno plays at the Sydney Opera House Studio until 13 September. More information here.