Unless you’ve been living under that proverbial rock for the last ten years, you will have at least heard of Cirque Du Soleil, if not already been awestruck by the magnificence of one of their touring shows (Saltimbanco is touring Australasia currently). Zany comedy, live music, breathtaking acrobatics, impossible body-bending, and then some!

Cirque Du Soleil has been mesmerising audiences young and old all around the world and as a long time fan, I was keen to check out one of their seven permanent shows in Las Vegas. I knew I wasn’t likely to be disappointed by any of them but given one should walk on the wicked side while in Vegas, I chose Zumanity, Cirque Du Soleil’s only adult-oriented show (showing at New York – New York Hotel & Casino).

Zumanity, described as “the Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil,” combines the usual amazing range of acrobatics with seduction, and a good pinch of adults-only fun. It opened in 2003 but as any fan of Cirque Du Soleil would attest, their shows are timeless and the dynamic energy of the troupe keeps them fresh and exciting. Zumanity is certainly no exception and especially given its naughty theme, it’s probably never going to date unlike some Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.

As you take your seat, you become familiar with the Cirque Du Soleil stage layout; a huge performance area with seats all around, affording everyone a very good view of the action. There are comedic actors keeping the earlybird audience amused with their antics as per other Cirque shows, but instead of clowns you get Dick and Izzy, the in-show sex therapists. This over-the-top duo are quite liberal with brandishing sex toys, much to the embarrassment of some audience members who probably didn’t think Cirque Du Soleil could get so bawdy.

Once the actual show begins, you are introduced to hostess Edie, Mistress of Seduction who is a tour-de-force drag show all on her own. She promises a night of open-minded and sensual entertainment and I can attest that you are not disappointed. Stunning African dancing gets your pulses racing before leading you into the first acrobatic act; two very flexible nude ladies in a huge glass bowl of water. It was a very visually captivating performance.

I’d rather not be a spoiler and give a blow-by-blow account of the entire show but you can certainly expect a lot of mid-air acrobatics, silk rope work, and a very healthy amount of nudity. The performers aren’t shy about stripping down but given how amazing their bodies are they certainly don’t need to be. Ladies will be happy to know that there is an act involving the resident beefcake to get them hot and bothered.

Towards the end of the show there is an act called ‘Gentle Orgy’ where all the performers of Zumanity come out to simulate a bit of group loving on a rotating platform, which is an absolutely gorgeous feast for the eyes and senses. You start feeling like a bit of a voyeur but before you get too fixated, Mistress Edie breaks the trance with some audience participation fun.

Zumanity is best described as part cabaret and part burlesque with a whole lot of sexy giggles in between. It’s also an exploration of human sexuality/sensuality in its many forms and you’re left with a feeling of being uninhibited. Zumanity is definitely a hot show to enjoy with your partner in deviousness so if you find yourself in Vegas one day, do check it out.