Le Noir: Slick, Sensual, Sexy and Spectacular!

Slick, sensual, sexy and spectacular. That is Le Noir.

We caught the show when it first rolled into town last year and were blown away by the experience. Le Noir is back in Singapore for a second run this June and when the opportunity arose for us to catch Le Noir again, my husband jumped at the chance. I, on the other hand, wasn't so sure I wanted to watch it again. I mean, I had really enjoyed it the first time but without that element of novelty, would it be as good the second time round?

The answer: A resounding YES.

If you are unfamiliar with Le Noir, it is a performance built around a series of different acrobatic and other speciality acts. Colours are used to depict the different themes and mood. The show starts out with performances in pure, ethereal white, then progresses to a raunchy red before ending off in dangerous black. These are linked together by short dance sequences, and a comedic host who ropes poor unsuspecting audience members into his act and is a barrel of laughs.

Watching Le Noir this second time, we found many of the performances familiar though the sequence was somewhat different. My husband and I were constantly nudging each other throughout the show as each performer took to the stage and remembering what we enjoyed about their performances the first time round. Watching them again, they were as good as we remembered, with some new twists and tricks for greater entertainment value.

My husband's favourites were largely unchanged. His picks are still the the opening act on the Aerial Lyra and the Hand Balance Contortion act, both featuring performances that were beautiful, graceful and strong.

I found myself loving the Rollerskaters (for the lack of a better name) and the Trapeze Duo, both intricate acts requiring careful co-ordination between the performers.

But the showstopper was the aptly named Wheel of Death. This was a new act involved two performers who perform tricks inside and outside a pair of spinning wheels. I thought it was exciting when they were inside the wheels, but when one of them climbed outside the wheel and starting jumping around, my heart was in my mouth and my hands turned clammy. There were collective screams from the audience at points when it looked like he might fall but of course he never did. And when they finished, everyone round us, including ourselves, spontaneously stood up to give them a standing ovation. It was that good.

One thing that definitely made a difference this time round was also the fact that we had great stage-side seats. Last year, we bought B Reserve seats and honestly had no complaints. You get a good view of the performers, and thanks to the intimate stage set up, still feel like part of the action. But. This year we got seats just behind a couple of rows behind the VIP seats and… Wow. There's nothing like being up-close and personal with the action. We could see every moment and every muscle flexed. And when the performers literally flew over heads, it was the most amazing experience. So I would recommend that you try to get seats as close to the stage as possible. Plump for the best seats -- you won't regret it! Well, except that your neck might feel a little strained by the end of the show from all the looking up!

Le Noir is a visually spectacular treat that will surely have you at the edge of your seat. Don't miss it!

(Parents who are keen to bring kids, be warned that the show is rather raunchy at times and the cast are very skimpily dressed. Do exercise your own discretion in this regard.)

Le Noir will be playing from 7 June to 29 June 2014 at the Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands. Performances are at 7.30pm on Tuesdays to Fridays, 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturdays and 1pm and 5.30pm on Sundays. Tickets are priced at $395 (VIP, for 2 seats), $145 (A Reserve), $100 (B Reserve) and $70 (C Reserve) and are available through Sistic or in person at the Marina Bay Sands Box Offices.

*We received a media invite to review this show, and all production photographs used in this post are courtesy of Le Noir. All opinions are my own.