I am on board a luxury yacht in France, holding on to a thin railing as I gaze out at the coast. Mermaids take turns jumping out of the water, weaving through the surface in what seems like a perfectly-choreographed synchronised swimming routine.
Palm trees sway gently in the distance. I feel the cool breeze on my face as we sail towards an island—our destination, where an elegant garden party awaits—and the boat rocks underneath my feet. Wait, that last part must just have been my imagination, for we haven’t left the confines of the virtual reality (VR) studio we have been standing in from the start.
This is Le Bal de Paris, a multi-sensorial theatrical experience dreamed up by Spanish choreographer and filmmaker Blanca Li—entirely in VR. Having first made its 2021 debut in Chaillot, Théâtre National de la Danse, and consequently winning the prize for “Best VR Experience” at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, the touring production has commanded stages all over the world from Paris and Geneva to its latest stop in Taipei. And now, making its first appearance in Southeast Asia, the show arrives in Singapore.
Unlike more common VR experiences which allow users only to interact with virtual surroundings while remaining stationary in reality, Le Bal de Paris makes use of room-scale VR and full-body tracking to utterly immerse its audience into its magnificent environments. As your headset comes on and the trackers click around your arms and legs, you feel as though you’ve been swept away into a completely new world brimming with sights, sounds and interesting characters.
Your first stop? The dressing room, of course, where you get to pick out an outfit from a dazzling rack of virtual clothing designed by Chanel. Whether you opt for a glittering high-neck gown or a tailored tuxedo, the maison’s exquisite costumes will make you feel ready for a grand Parisian ball—which is exactly where you’ll end up in the next scene.
There, you’ll be introduced to our loveable protagonists: Adèle, a charming young woman who is returning to Paris to grand reception, only to bump into the mysterious Pierre, a face from the past she has yet to forget. As the dramatic reunion between the two ex-lovers titillates and amuses, the cast of Le Bal de Paris launch into awe-inspiring dance numbers, taking the opportunity to interact with audience members every chance they get. Between dizzying choreography and a hilariously gripping plot line, the theatrical production keeps your attention till the very end, and ensures you never want to leave.
In one instance, Pierre even grabbed my hands and invited me into the dancefloor for a waltz, and I dared not sneak a glance at Adèle. For 35 minutes at least, I would throw caution to the wind and let my imagination run free. We are in Paris, after all.
Le bal de Paris de Blanca Li runs in Singapore until 17 March 2024. Book tickets here.
