We wen to see The Velvet Creepers at Ballhaus Berlin and we got mesmerised.
Walking into Ballhaus Berlin is like stepping into a smoky, decadent time warp. Tucked in Mitte, this legendary venue has been a Berlin institution since 1905, hosting everything from waltz-filled dance nights to underground cabarets that thumbed their noses at convention. On this night, though, it wasn’t just the historical charm of the venue that took center stage—it was The Velvet Creepers, a Cabaret and Circus Trio that has been creating and producing their unique show independently for over 6 years. They call what they do “Weimar Cabaret on Acid” and I experienced a performance so provocative, sharp, and hysterically funny that I found myself transported straight into the wild energy of Berlin’s Weimar era.
From Weimar to Now: A Performance That Dares
Berlin in the 1920s was a fever dream of liberation and excess. Recovering from the aftermath of World War I, the city became the ultimate stage for rebellious art and unfiltered sensuality. The cabaret scene thrived, fueled by sultry burlesque, biting political satire, and the promise of freedom in the shadows. Think jazz bands, sequins, feathers, and an electric atmosphere that buzzed with both decadence and defiance.
The Velvet Creepers capture that essence like no other. This trio—Lilly Mortis, a statuesque siren whose every move oozes glamour and grace; Dunja von K, a Guinness world record holding hula hoop artist and hair hanger, who we also saw as comedic relief as a giant tampon, opened the show with mindblowing hairhanging and later (as she is the German Queen of Hula Hoops) showed us her love affair with a hoop; and Fifi Fantôme, who is a fantastic aerial hoop artist, dancer and performance artist, played a piece called "my bones will be dust", and took us up into the air while also down into some darker places in our souls. In her second act, she presented a full nude powerful statement piece dripping with female rage and rebellion—have created a performance that’s equal parts sultry, clever, and side-splittingly funny. This isn’t just a show; it’s an experience.
And Lilly Mortis? A revelation. Imagine someone who commands the stage with effortless glamour and then, in the same breath, delivers the kind of wit that makes you laugh so hard you’re gasping for air. Her comedic timing was flawless, turning even her most glamorous moments into something hilariously relatable. But it wasn’t all laughs—when she sang, her presence was spellbinding, with a voice that filled the room and held us all completely captivated. It’s rare to find someone who can move between humor and raw, magnetic charisma so seamlessly, but Lilly Mortis did it with ease.
Worth Every Cent (And Then Some)
Here’s the twist: tickets were under €50. Let me repeat that—less than €50 for a show so exquisitely crafted and wildly entertaining that it felt like it belonged in a high-end theatre charging hundreds. From the costumes (think corsets, feathers, and dazzling vintage details) to the seamless flow of acts, the effort behind this production was nothing short of profound.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if their ticket prices skyrocket soon—and deservedly so. If you’re in Berlin, don’t hesitate. Grab a seat while you still can because this is the kind of performance that will be commanding packed houses (and heftier prices) before you know it.
Ballhaus Berlin: A Storied Backdrop
It’s impossible to talk about The Velvet Creepers without mentioning their venue, Ballhaus Berlin. A relic of another era, this dance hall has survived wars, political upheaval, and shifting trends to remain one of the city’s most iconic spaces. It’s all old-world charm: wooden floors, velvet curtains, and chandeliers that feel like they’ve seen their fair share of champagne-fueled nights. During the Weimar era, venues like Ballhaus hosted Berlin’s counterculture elite, a mix of artists, bohemians, and rebels pushing societal boundaries.
Sitting in that space, watching a show like The Velvet Creepers, it’s easy to feel like you’re part of that same tradition—where art isn’t just performance but provocation.
The Velvet Creepers: Cheeky, Sexy, Unforgettable
What sets The Velvet Creepers apart is their ability to blend bawdy burlesque with razor-sharp social commentary, all while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. This isn’t just a performance; it’s a masterclass in cabaret—equal parts sensual, cerebral, and wildly entertaining.
Whether it was Dunja von K cracking us up with her whip-smart satire, Fifi Fantôme pulling us into her effortlessly cheeky world, or Lilly Mortis taking us from tears of laughter to stunned awe with her powerhouse vocals, this trio made it impossible to look away. The depth and range of the performance were staggering—what felt like a massive production was actually the work of just three performers.
What are the Creepers up to next?
The Velvet Creepers are producing regular shows at Ballhaus Berlin and every time they return, they serve a new theme, a new story, and they join forces with a different fantastic guest performer. On top of that, they are touring Germany and Europe and you will be able to catch them in Leipzig, Stuttgart, Bukarest and other cities as well as several festivals including Fusion Festival. And rumours has it that they will be hosting another New Years Extravaganza at Ballhaus Berlin to finish 2025 with a bang.
They are returning on February 8 and 9 with THE BIRTH OF VENUX with guest artist Oskar Mauricio aka VENUX, which promises a journey into another dimension with lots of space oddities. Tickets are already on sale on www.thevelvercreepers.com.
Whether you’re a Berlin veteran or someone who’s just landed in the city, this is the show you’ll regret missing. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s the perfect encapsulation of what makes Berlin’s underground scene so thrilling. The Velvet Creepers aren’t just performers—they’re storytellers, provocateurs, and the torchbearers of Berlin’s cabaret legacy. So, don’t walk—run to see them before the rest of the world catches on.
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