Velvet Rewired in the Studio this summer
Sydney —
A glittering spectacle of circus, cabaret and a love-letter to disco, Velvet Rewired will be presented in the Opera House Studio from 22 December 2022 – 12 February 2023. The fabulous Marcia Hines (Jesus Christ Superstar, HAIR) reprises her role from the hit-show Velvet as the “Diva”.
Premiering at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe festival to glowing reviews, Velvet Rewired continues the story of a young man on his path to self-discovery as he returns to the club seeking redemption. Led by the fearlessly fabulous Marcia Hines, Craig Reid (La Clique, La Soirée) returns as the incredible “Hula Boy” and Joe Accaria (Once, Dream Lover) as the DJ and mix-master. Rounding out the cast is performer and TV presenter Tom Sharah (It’s Raining Me, I Will Survive on Channel 10) as “Country Mike”, German skating duo Sven and Jan (Cirque du Soleil), London based aerialist Beau Sargent (JPG Fashion Freak Show), aerialist Harley Timmermans (Babylon), and the vocal power of Jacinta Gulisano (The Voice 2018) and Sasha Lee Saunders as the “Sirens”.
To the hedonistic tunes of perpetual anthems like “Ain’t No Body” (Chaka Khan and Rufus), “It’s Raining Men” (The Weather Girls) and “Born to Be Alive” (Patrick Hernandez), Velvet Rewired pays homage to disco greats and New York’s Studio 54, the infamous club synonymous with a celebration of cultural acceptance, glitter and disco.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Ebony Bott, says: “We were very disappointed when the COVID-19 lockdown meant we had to postpone Velvet Rewired in 2021, but I’m thrilled we can now announce the new dates. I am so excited to invite audiences back for a celebration of the glitz and glamour of the disco era with the queen of disco herself, Marcia Hines, along with an incredibly talented young cast. Expect an electric night of circus, burlesque and cabaret that will give audiences a dose of feel-good disco fever.”
Directed by Craig Ilott (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Love Song), Velvet Rewired is a seamless integration of acrobatics, aerialists and vocalists who deliver a performance drenched in high energy and dizzying nostalgia. Ilott directed the original Velvet that premiered at the Opera House in 2015. Velvet has left behind glitter and good vibes after more than 1200 performances in some of the world’s biggest fringe festivals including Adelaide and Edinburgh, in cruise ships in the Caribbean, and theatres in Germany, France and Italy. The creative team is completed by Amy Campbell (Choreographer), James Browne (Set and Costume Designer) and Matthew Marshall (Lighting Designer).
On Saturday 19 November, dancers aged 16+ of any skill level can set the dance floor alight at Dance Velvet Rewired an afternoon workshop of contemporary disco in the Centre for Creativity, featuring choreography from Velvet Rewired.
Velvet Rewired will tour nationally to Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Townsville, Newcastle and Melbourne between November 2022 and April 2023.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: Velvet Rewired
WHEN: 22 December – 12 February
WHERE: Studio, Sydney Opera House
PRICES: From $64.90 + $8.50 booking fee
PRE SALE: 9am Wednesday 3 August, 2022
GP ON-SALE: 9am Friday 5 August, 2022