Sydney Opera House acoustics 'would do an aeroplane hangar a disservice': Malkovich

US actor John Malkovich thinks the Sydney Opera House is only fit for a circus.

The thespian performed there in the Sydney Festival production The Giacomo Variations, which was booed and critically savaged.

Malkovich told News Corp the Sydney Opera House was lovely to view by boat and has a nice crew, "but the acoustics are hideous".

"I mean, I don't know, I have only played in about 200 opera houses, and it certainly has acoustics that would do an aeroplane hangar a disservice," he said.

"For a catholicity of reasons, its not the wisest place to put on anything ... with the possible exception of maybe a circus."