Velvet Inferno (Sydney Opera House) ★★★★

Sydney Opera House & Rix Management Presents. Sydney Opera House Studio. 24 Jul – 13 Sep, 2026.

Disco meets daring aerials in Velvet Inferno, the cabaret that mixes flirty and funny circus acts with four-on-the-floor beats.

The new incarnation of Velvet swings back into Sydney with some jaw-dropping acrobatics from an international cast, all set to the feel-good dance hits of disco. The playlist is the kind of soundtrack you’ll be familiar with from every party you’ve been to, laden with hits like ‘Relight My Fire’, ‘Play That Funky Music’, ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘Last Dance’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’ — to be honest, it’s the kind of stuff I wish they still played in gay bars.

The visuals are a non-stop feast thanks to the combined work of designer James Browne and lighting designer Matt Marshall, who recreate the idealised dream of a disco. The costumes are a cascade of sequins and metallics, the lights multi-coloured and flashing, and the mirror balls abundant.

It all sets the stage for a varied ensemble of circus acts you might be familiar with from similar shows but are always entertaining to watch. Hair-rialist Zoë Marshall reminds us not to **** with a woman rocking a fierce ponytail. Craig Reid gives us comedy with some impressive quick-changes and a multifaceted hula hoop routine. Oleg Tatarynov stuns with his six-pack aerials with a side of boy-lesque. But my personal favourite of the acts was the death-defying extreme roller-skaters Yevhenii and Vlada from Duo Stardust, who had the crowd on the edge of their seats — I was getting scared for the front row. They’re a jaw-droppingly talented and sexy ensemble.

They’re joined on stage by a group of excellent vocalists — KYE, Emma Feliciano, Mateja Sardelis, Brendan Maclean and the icon that is Marcia Hines. They deliver big dance-floor vocals, which are unfortunately lost in a sound mix that prioritises beats over melodies. The best vocal moment comes in the form of a stripped-back rendition of ‘Staying Alive’, performed by Maclean with a solo banjo, that will break your heart.

One thing that is utterly flawless is the 6:30pm starting time. An early start and a tight 75-minute show — you’re out the door by 8pm. Music to my ears! If you’re in need of some hot gymspiration in these cold, wintery days, look no further.