Review: The Lady Boys of Bangkok at The Sabai Pavillion, Newcastle-Under-Lyme*

We were really excited to be invited to review the famous and renowned The Ladyboys of Bangkok thanks to Gandeys World Class Production. This show first started at the Edinburg Fringe back in 1998, and has been running yearly ever since touring around the UK and we got to see it in City Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. The Sabai Pavillion travels with the Lady Boys and is just as iconic as they are. You can’t miss the pink circus-style tent that allows the show to make its landmark at every location it travels to.

So on with this show – The Lady Boys are a collective of great performers, they dance and lip-synch to a varied selection of pop music. in between performances you are entertained by drag queens, who take a real tongue and cheek approach to performing and are also really great fun. They also broke up the evening by incorporated some really fun audience interaction.  More often than not during each song break (which was in place so that the Lady Boys could change into another fabulous outfit), an audience member was dragged on stage to be part of the act which had everyone in floods of laughter!

The Lady Boys have the most magnificent figures which of course meant their costumes were truly spectacular – I love how perfectly fitted they were to each of the Lady Boys and how comically put together those of the drag Queens were. You really could see the effort that had been put into making these outfits absolutely fabulous.  The Lady Boys wear over 400 impressive costumes in the show, and a full-time seamstress is employed to keep them all in check.

That being said the show itself has elements of tacky about it but this, in no way is negative. This is a cabaret show with men who look like women with lots of glitter sequins and drag queens. Expect to be flabbergasted! But at the same time expect to come out having had the most amusing time. Going to this show you really will be entertained and how the performers encourage the audience to be involved makes even more fun. Even the most uptight of us won’t be able to resist at laughing, dancing and clapping along with the beautiful Lady Boys!

Where will the show take place at?

Sabai Pavilion, Old Sainsburys Site,
Ryecroft,
Newcastle-under-Lyme,
ST5 2AF

When will the Show be on for?

The show will be on until Saturday, 26 October 2019 taking place at the following times:

Tuesday – Thursdays -7pm
Friday and Saturday – 7pm and 9pm
Sundays – 6pm
(No Shows on Mondays)

How much are the tickets and how can I book it?

Adult tickets cost £24.50 to £36 while a student ticket cost £18. They also offer a special champagne table which cost £400 which is said to be the best table in town as it includes a bottle of champagne and 2 souvenir brochures. Do check out their website here for offers on cheap tickets or 2-for-1 tickets here and remember to click Newcastle-Under-Lyme under city on the top.

FAQ

• Is there audience participation? – Some of the comedy numbers involve artistes leaving the stage and going into the audience, so if you are shy or don’t want to get that closely involved it is best not to be in the first couple of rows. However, they would stress that even if you do get involved it is all in good fun – and you will enjoy it as much as the rest of the audience.
• Can we get up and dance? – Yes you can, their Friday and Saturday performances are full of party spirit and you can expect every audience member to be up on their feet dancing and joining in. If you would prefer to go to a show where the atmosphere is more relaxed they advise their Sunday and weekday performances.
• Are the seats numbered? – All seating is at cabaret tables and there are 8 un-numbered seats around 1 table, so when you buy a ticket you will be allocated a table number but not a seat number, this does mean that if you are buying less than 8 tickets you will be sharing your table with other members of the audience. Please note whilst every effort is made to situate the tables as shown on the seating plan, this cannot be guaranteed due to variations at each site location.
• Is there wheelchair access? – Yes they are able to accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs at each performance. Their venues are all on the flat, so access is easy. Email them once you have booked your tickets
• How long is the show? – The show runs at approximately 1 hr 45min including an interval.
• Is there a licensed bar? –Yes, they will have a bar open during the performance
• Is there food available? – They have freshly prepared Thai food available in the foyer, their genuine Thai Chef prepares a selection of tasty tempting treats for you, which can be brought to the table. Vegetarian options are available.  This style of cuisine may contain traces of nuts and other allergens.
• Is there car parking? – There are car park spaces within easy walking distance.
• Is there strobe lighting? – The Lady Boys of Bangkok uses strobe lighting within the show.
• What time can we get into the show? – Our foyer is open 1 hour prior to the first performance. You will be allowed to your seats ½ hour before the show is due to commence.

What are Lady Boys?
Lady Boys are an honourable part of the rich cultural heritage of Thailand. They are people of a highly artistic nature who believe that they have the right to define their own sexuality.

What exactly can I expect from The Lady Boys of Bangkok?
Sixteen of the world’s most beautiful showgirls (who just happen to be men) in a glamorous and funny cabaret show, flamboyant costumes, painstakingly immaculate makeup and show-stopping choreography are the hallmark of this truly unique blend of cabaret.

About Gandeys

For more than 40 years Gandey World Class Productions has been realising dreams by staging some of the world’s most famous shows and most memorable productions in cities across the globe. From the grand to the ground-breaking, the anarchic to the art-house, from the intimate to the immense Gandey World Class Productions can be depended upon to deliver a show-stopping spectacle. Whether it’s staging a one-off ice-show in the middle of the Arabian desert or managing the logistics of a nine-month European tour, Gandey World Class Productions understands that putting on a gigantic show means planning for the smallest of details. Gandey World Class Productions has a gilded history of success in providing entertainment in complex and challenging environments such as the Middle East, China and members of the former Soviet Union, as well as in the UK and Western Europe. We are able to operate successfully throughout the world as we pay particular attention to cultural traditions and customs and have unparalleled experience of producing shows and events throughout the Gulf region. They are the dream makers and they have the know-how to manage each step of the creative process so that an artistic vision can be brought to life.

About LadyBoys

The Lady Boys of Bangkok burst onto the scene at Edinburgh Fringe back in 1998, fast becoming the country’s favourite touring cabaret show. Ever since then their intimate and warm venue, the Sabai Pavilion, has become an annual staple for many cities up and down the country!  The Sabai Pavilion received a glamorous makeover in 2017. Well, they say makeover… but in actual fact they debuted a brand new, purpose-built pink tent that’s sure to catch your eye – meaning that our unmissable show is now easier to find than ever!  The eye-catching Sabai Pavilion provides a spacious yet intimate cabaret venue like no other. To enter the foyer is to step through the looking glass. You find yourself instantly transported to the exotic surroundings of Bangkok – greeted by the enticing aromas of freshly prepared Thai cuisine and an atmosphere charged with excitement and wonder. There are also two well-stocked bars to keep the drinks flowing and the party going.  They also have a selection of merchandise available, from brochures, masks, hats and maybe even a little something to raise an eyebrow! You can always find a memento to take back home with you.  Through these sensory delights the cabaret atmosphere permeates the pavilion, meaning you’ll be in the Lady Boys spirit before you even take your seat!

You may also want to read this:

Review: Season’s Greetings at New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme

Review : Intemperance at The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme

Review: Gandeys Circus : The Greatest Show Tour heads to Newcastle-under-Lyme

Photo copyright: Gandeys Production / Clara Lou Photography / Andrew Payne

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.