Velvet

One of the most popular shows at the 2015 Adelaide Fringe Festival is the world premiere of Organised Pandemonium’s disco-inspired variety gala, Velvet. Audaciously promoted as the ‘most anticipated show on the global festival circuit’ Velvet is a sensual and entertaining descent into the worlds of disco, circus and burlesque featuring an array of local and international performers headlined by Australian disco queen Marcia Hines.

Dressed in a gold gown Hines, with her usual warmth and skill, thrilled an appreciative audience performing disco classics such as ‘If You Could Read My Mind’, ‘Without You’, ‘Last Chance For Love ‘and her 1970s hit single ‘You’. There is no denying that she was a major drawcard for audience members and she did not disappoint.

Brendan Maclean, dressed in the drab white shirt and black tie outfit ubiquitous to retail employees, portrayed a wide-eyed innocent cautiously attracted to the hedonism and overt sensuality of the club. Throughout the production his journey from shrinking violet to pluming peacock forms the show’s only narrative thread, and it’s slender thread at that. His restrained solo ukulele rendition of ‘Staying Alive’ contrasted nicely with the exuberant excesses of the rest of the show.

The rest of the production consists mainly of classic disco songs being performed by two female vocalists as individual performance artists take centre stage.

Mirko Köckenburger, dressed as a hotel bellboy and armed with a devilish smile, took centre stage and, demonstrating strength and dexterity, expertly performed an array of balancing tricks and costume changes on stacked suitcases. His performance cheekily and skilfully combined big top and burlesque. Stephen Williams performed daring aerial choreography to the tune of “It’s Raining Men and an aerial duet with Emma Goh, who also soloed.

Burlesque artist Perle Noire threatened the strength of some audience members’ pacemakers when she quickly disrobed and pulsated wearing only a g-string and some black nipple tape. It is arguable that Noire’s contribution to the show relied too heavily on the less is more aspect of the burlesque art. Also, considering that during his bit Köckenburger undressed acrobatically while upside down and balancing precariously, Noire appeared outclassed and outstripped.

British hula-hoop performer Craig Reid lived up to his billing as “The Incredible Hula Boy” in an astonishing performance that was made even more entertaining due to his winsome stage presence and his curvy frame.

Set Designer James Browne and Lighting Director Matthew Marshall are to be commended for successfully creating the illusion of a disco-era New york nightclub within the austere venue.

Despite the excellent performances the show seemed overlong at around ninety minutes; eliminating one of the aerial stunts, shortening the dominatrix and the last hula hoop segments, and removing one or two superfluous songs would result in a tighter, better show.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Velvet
Director: Craig Ilott
Producer: Virginia Hyam
Lighting Director: Matthew Marshall
Costume and Set Designer: James Browne
Choreographer: Lucas Newland

Performers: Marcia Hines, Joe Accaria, Brendan Maclean, Perle Noire, Stephen Williams, Mirko Köckenburger, Craig Reid, Emma Goh, Chaska Halliday, Rechelle Mansour.