The Ladyboys of Bangkok

Well another great show from the Ladyboys last night. The Ladyboys are 16 biological male Tai men, most of whom who live and dress as women. Now many of them have had the full monty sex change and truely are women in my eyes. I mean the beauty of some of them is breathtaking, actually. Some of them have yet to have the full sex change and so still have thier male genitals. Some of them however, live as men and perform as men to complement the true ladyboys on stage. You know, there are actually so many transexuals in Tailand that they are known as the 'third sex' over there and are actually exhalted in thier culture.



This was the third year running that I have seen this now and I think this was definately the best one so far. I arrived there just on time for the opening act whilst my friends were already there and settled with thier drinks about half an hour earlier. Thats just typical of me too. I'll be late for my own funeral. Anyway, after fumbling through the crowds, I was ushered to my seat by this pretty little Tai woman and the fun began.

They performed some of the classic acts that are asked for year after year along with some simply fabulous new routines. Now they dont actually sing the songs, they mime then whilst doing amazing acts and dancing. Its hard to describe but this has to be seen to really be appreciated.

One of the classics acts that it done is to 'My Way'. A ladyboy comes on stage dressed as a woman at a dressing table. She slowly begins taking off her earings, clothes and make-up whilst mimimg with wonderful meloncholic expression to Shirley Basseys version of 'My Way'. During this act too, she puts on a pair of trousers and a shirt. Then, she smears face cream all over her face and drops to her knees whilst acting as though she is sobbing the song to the rafters. It really is very powerful and give me shivers whenever I watch it.

Then right towards the end off the song...at the point when all the trumpets are singing and the music is at its peak, she then turns her back to the audience, rips the wig off and removes all make up in a matter of seconds. He then suddenly strides to the front of the stage, having seamlessly changed from female to male identity, and then belts out the last line of the the song in male voice (Sinatra version) 'I did it my way...'

Absolutely amazing and real tearjerker. It gives a true moment of clarity that i'm sure would touch the heart of anyone who watches it. A powerful expression of being true to ourselves and accepting ourselves for who we are - and accepting others for who they are too.

Another classic that is done is to the song 'Raining men' - this is depicted below. At the end of that act, all the audience get squirted with water, lol. The ladyboys strip right to their underwear for that one (as you can see!)



A new feature of the show was a Madonna tribute act done to 'Like a Virgin'. I cannot beieve how much like Madonna this 'woman' was! She must have looked at her perform for hours to get it just right. I mean she moved JUST like her, writhing on the floor and everything! They also had a whole pirate set - in which one of them was Captain Jack Sparrow! He really was just like him, looks, costume, movement and everything. The show is so full on and varied.

I just dont know whow they kept going or how they have the energy though. I mean it was one song after another after another after another. The dance routines are simply perfect and forbidable, IMO. After we saw them though, they had another show that very same night! Right after ours. Unbelieveable. The show is now taken worldwide, so if it ever comes to your neck of the woods, I cant recommend it enough.

..and Hazel, yes, I did drink the Sabai! lol. Theres no way I was drinking that Tai wine again. Remember last time when we were walking home?? I couldnt believe how drunk we were on just a couple of glasses of that loopy juice...