“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.” – Macbeth.
This renowned Shakespearean tragedy tale entitled Macbeth is enveloped in darkness, tyranny, bloodshed, fantasy and desire for power throughout this narrative, abstractly inspired by the Holinshed’s Chronicles. When referring to this statement from the title character in the Fourth Scene of the First Act, it hauntingly encapsulates the venue, theme and outstandingly obscure aura for this exhibition almost too perfectly. A show that commenced at 10:30pm in the evening, in a grand geodisic dome hidden from the stars and moonlight with the spotlight inside illuminating: “DESIRE, DEBAUCHERY, DEPRAVITY. BDSM. Kink. Bondage. Shibari. Floggers. Whips. Rope. Aerials. Dance.”
In this darkness, light shone upon the deep desires people keep secret, but as the six performers express and the story line for the showcase articulates:
“Sin with us and make your dreams reality.”
A sold-out audience hurriedly entered the venue to be greeted by an enchanting topless dancer entitled “Sin” welcoming them; her radiance glowed in the limelight. Around her in the dimness, a love lounge, a BDSM X-cross, a Renaissance-styled armchair, a bottle of spirits with a tumbler and suspended from the ceiling, two aerial silk ribbons were tucked away but could be seen enhancing the mysterious atmosphere of the astounding arrangement. Although the stage was somewhat set for this presentation, what was to be unveiled was mostly unknown, and it augmented the excitement for this production to immeasurable levels.
A sensual dance by Sin (Felicity) introduced the spectacle and the resounding boom of the eight-inch thigh high platforms against the stage shook the entire crowd with tantalising exhilaration. The fourth wall was broken when the apple held by Sin was shared with a mouth-to-mouth bite from a lucky spectator, but honestly these engagements were barely an appetiser for what lay ahead for the hundreds within the dome.
A proper introduction then came about when the entire cast of performers glided onto the stage’s platform and joined in with the erotic movements while a gothic industrial soundtrack enriched the expose infinitely. Strangulation was trifled within in a delicate and seductive fashion, before the entertainers dispersed leaving two men, The Sadist (Nick) and Ariel Drop (Russell) to execute a stunningly salacious gymnastic floor routine. This charismatic choreography had the onlookers spellbound and even though the flow of the exhibition had the men exchanging their roles as “dom” or “sub” – the athleticism and eroticism was above poetic.
The aerial silk ribbons then descended to the stage and Ariel Drop grabbed a hold of the silks and quickly flew up to terrifying heights, spinning, soaring, flipping, stretching his limbs to superhuman positions (including the splits) and the most fantastically frightening of all, dropping at speeds that seemed faster than gravity. As a final act, Ariel plummeted toward the ground headfirst stopping inches short of a devastating head injury, and all who witnessed these daredevil antics were overwhelmed in amazement.
Understandably, the gasps and applause were thunderous from the spectators when they properly understood what had transpired.
However, the showcase was still to become terrifically twisted.
Some elegant knife-play was paraded on the love lounge by multiple members before The Sadist (Nick) and his partner Pixie embarked upon their bondage artistic exhibition on the BDSM X-cross.
This was not for the faint of heart; but the heart, love and trust that was binding these two performers was exceptionally breathtaking. The tantalising torment Pixie received was ravenous unquestionably; however, the devotion to The Sadist that could be seen when Pixie opened her eyes was simply wondrous.
Whippings to her back, buttocks and her breasts were put on display, and the tingle of pain was felt throughout the venue. The vibrations of liveliness though, counteracted and elevated above that hurt feeling dominantly.
Lumi Lavish entered the stage area and her partner Marty undertook a servant role for that aerialist; before any incorrect judgement is assumed, this was primarily in a sense of wholehearted admiration and adoration. After a remarkable routine that involved dancing, romance, a paddle and the spitting of spirits onto Marty and into his mouth – the proper event was set to begin.
Lumi was escorted by Marty to the two sets of chains that descended from the roof, and after utilising his body as a literal step erotically and using her own incredible strength, she was immediately flown upward to the ceiling. A delightful demonstration of twists and turns and unbelievably compelling clambering that she made look effortless via her astonishing prowess was truly immaculate.
Planking, backflips, spins and drops were administered in inconceivable grace and how Lumi employed separate body parts to stay attached to the chains and vacillate her perplexing positions was frankly, angelic. Extraordinarily, there was still one final Act to be played out.
The Sadist and Pixie returned to the platform and intriguingly connected a Shibari ring to the ceiling attachment apparatus. What unfolded from this moment, was a rousing and electrifying display of dependence, bondage, rope-tying, whipping, elevation, submission and ultimately, love.
Love empowered these performers to undergo body modification, entrapment, and suffering with an artistic integrity that was so mesmerising, it unlocked the truth of desire – passion.
These stars set fire to South Australia’s desires on this night, and what an epic grand finale to make all the sinners’ dreams a reality who were present.