'Velvet', one of the most anticipated new shows on the global festival circuit, will be visiting Brisbane Powerhouse in September as a part of the Brisbane Festival.
On the back end of a sold-out season at Adelaide Fringe, award-winning 'Smoke & Mirrors' Director Craig Ilott takes audiences on a journey back to ‘70s disco glamour. ARIA hall of fame inductee, Marcia Hines, will star alongside the very talented singer-songwriter Brendan Maclean.
Fuelled by skilled performers such as; Craig Reid, Queen Perle Noire, Stephen Williams and Joe Accaria, comes a dazzling five-star show of non-stop excitement and extravaganza. Performer, Brendan Maclean, talks about 'Velvet':What initially attracted you to 'Velvet'?
After working with Baz Luhrmann in 'The Great Gatsby' I needed something fabulous to sink my teeth into. I'd seen Craig Illot's work with my good friend iOTA in 'Smoke & Mirrors' and knew it was the right show to go for.
Is this your first time in a cabaret performance?
My original music has always been theatrical, whether I'm doing pop or folk, whatever, there has always been a dash of drama but as for performing in a professional show, eight shows a week for months at a time – well that's certainly a new experience.
Describe your experience performing along side Marcia Hines in a sentence...Marcia is my disco mumma; Her character guides mine through the disco landscape and helps him bring out the best in himself, and that's pretty much what has happened in the rehearsal space.
How does director Craig Ilott's style influence your individual creativity? What was it like working with him?
Craig is less about changing your style to suit him and more about helping you find how you fit in the world of the show. It's a challenge, sure, you don't always find compromises for everything you as the performer think is right, but that's why I'm the performer, not the award-winning director. We are always free as a cast to offer ideas, but I like that Velvet is his ship to steer. If he's happy, I'm happy.
Acting, singing, songwriting or presenting; you excel at them all but which of these three do you have the strongest passion for?
Songwriting will always have my heart. It's how I talk about the world around me – it's what I can do without a crowd.
What do you do to debrief and prepare before your shows?
Drink until the stage manager kicks me on stage.
What does the whole 'Velvet' team do to celebrate after each show?Drink until the bar kicks us out of the venue.
What excites you the most about returning to Brisbane Festival?
This is my second Brisbane Festival, my first was launching my record 'Population' at The Judith Wright Centre, but my first time with a company. It should be pretty neat to just enjoy the shows without having to desperately promote my gig. And I will literally walk out mid-show to see Megan Washington.
'Velvet' premiered in Adelaide, now you're set to perform in Brisbane, where to next?
Well, I'm actually writing this interview from The Edinburgh Fringe, which we are performing in for a month. Then the Opera House for two months and then someone told me yesterday we are probably going to Perth, Melbourne and then straight on to New York.
What can fans expect from 'Velvet'?
Babes, bangers, burlesque and other things starting with B, like me.
Weaving a subtle narrative in between it's vibrant soundtrack, Velvet is set to be nothing short of spectacular!
'Velvet' performs Brisbane Powerhouse 16-26 September.
