They were known as Transformers that night.

But save for their futuristic-looking audio reactive helmets, which featured frontal LED lights pulsating in time to the music, they bore little resemblance to the popular robot series.

Dressed in black leather gear and carrying BDSM (bondage, domination and sado-masochism) gear such as whips, the Transformers dancers were the highlight of Zouk's 21st anniversary celebrations.

Titled R21: The Carnal Cabaret, the hour-long show was open to the public aged 18 and above.

The daring half-dozen strode onto the stage at about 10.30pm with all the sass and swagger one would expect from such outlandishly clad performers, drawing loud gasps and incredulous screams from the 2,000-strong crowd.

Miss Michelle Hoh, who had just finished her A'levels and was relaxing with her friends, was bowled over by the Transformers' exploits, which included some sensual teasing of audience members near the main stage.

The 19-year-old told The New Paper: "I'm a big fan of cabaret shows and of Zouk, so when I heard about the Carnal Cabaret I just had to come.

"The Transformers were mind-blowing. I was speechless the whole time I was watching their performance."

A Zouk spokesman said: "As one of the premier clubbing destinations in Singapore, we wanted to give our patrons an audio-visual extravaganza for our 21st anniversary celebrations.

"R21: The Carnal Cabaret is an example of how Zouk has finally come of age, crossing the proverbial transition to adulthood.

"We wanted to give a spectacular performance to thank our patrons for their support all these years."

The Transformers were just one item on an eclectic menu that included scantily-clad burlesque dancers, geisha courtesans with stencilled Chinese characters on their bodies, and animal-costumed dancers.

The show, which ended near midnight, incorporated elements of the grotesque, with touches of macabre and sensuality aplenty in a cabaret combination reminiscent of the movie musical Moulin Rouge!

One act involved an "acrobatic cloth dancer" in a skintight flesh-coloured costume who gracefully shimmied up two pieces of cloth suspended from the ceiling.

Mr Rizal Ahyar, the choreographer for R21: The Carnal Cabaret, said that the acts were chosen to reflect a diverse mix of stage performances.

The 46-year-old, who was also the host on the night, added: "The show reflects a teenager who's grown up and is finally turning 21, and who is still discovering his or her place in the world without knowing fully his or her identity.

"We wanted to push boundaries without being insensitive."

Miss Jocelyn Lok, a 21-year-old digital project manager, certainly appreciated that.

She said: "Each individual act was superb. I was especially fond of the burlesque girls as they looked so sleek."

But Miss Lok admitted that her reaction to the show in its entirety was mixed.

She said: "Perhaps it was because there were so many themes going on, it was a bit hard to keep track of what was going on at times.

"The show might have been better with a more focused direction, but nonetheless it was still a feast for the eyes."

Click here to view who was there.

Photos: Plush, Thomas Tan

This article was first published in The New Paper.