(please note: unofficial artwork)
Born in 1998 in Edinburgh and applauded by -estimates vary- a hefty couple of millions of spectators already, The Ladyboys of Bangkok have carved themselves a unique place between cabaret, burlesque and musical.
Each year brings a new theme, around which the show riffs, builds on, ducks and weaves, plays with, and generally subverts. This year (or rather last – see explanation later) is no exception: it's called 'Flights of Fancy' -geddit?????- and proposes dance numbers based around the idea of taking a trip “to paradise” (as the opening song by the Pet Shop Boys goes). And so it starts with your air hostess -not to be confused with a Trolley Dolly hell no- taking you through the pants wetting procedure.
(please note: unofficial artwork)
The show, which involves a dozen dancers, comprises about a couple dozen songs and features -if I remember correctly- some four hundred costumes, lasting nearly two hours divided in the middle by a ten minute break. Pretty much like a football match, then (easy confusion to make).
What with that COVID thing, contact with the stars of the show is now prohibited – meaning there are no longer go-go girls -or boys- dancing in the middle of the audience and you can't have your photo taken with your favourite anymore – a practice anyone who has ever been to Thailand will recognise.
This year's show is, in effect, last year's - the 2020 tour having been understandably cancelled.
(please note: unofficial artwork)
Aficionados of double-entendres, risqué-but-not-quite dance routines, pearl clutching, fishnet stockings, fatal misunderstandings and strategically placed tassels will feel right at home. But this does not make it a specific / target audience: whole families -over eighteen though- flock to see it. Plus a huge majority of women, stag nights, birthday nights out, gym bunnies, couples in search of inspiration, straight, gay, inbetween, tourists, dance students, as well as occasional Thai nationals (I can still remember a venerable grandmother being saluted onstage).
Musical genres covered: not just current hits like Rihanna Beyonce et al, but also oldies-but-goldies (like 'Grease'), rock (like Queen) or film musicals (like 'The Sound of Music' or 'Moulin Rouge'). I have yet to see them perform to the sound of Extreme Noise Terror or Godspeed You! Black Emperorrr but I live in hope.
(please note: unofficial artwork)
Finally, I would like to make a point about the performers' genuine professionalism. Should you ever attend the show several times in a row, you will be impressed by how well rehearsed they are, hitting the exact same spots / poses every time. I have also seen them perform in front of about fifteen people in the middle of a midweek afternoon and they gave it their all regardless. Compare and contrast with rock bands eh...
Verdict: put your seatbelt on, turbulences ahoy!
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