EDINBURGH 2015 - BWW Reviews: THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK, Fountainbridge, August 12 2015
The Ladyboys of Bangkok - Beauties and the Beats tour opens with an announcement reminding the audience that the performance is done with an all-male cast of Thai nationals. Opening with a Cher song and incredible costumes, I can almost forgive them for lip syncing.
The music is fantastic, taking contemporary pop and well known show tunes. We are treated to well choreographed routines from Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys and the entire Sound of Music which was summed up in a three-minute medley.
There were a couple of scenes that seemed a little too random and went for cheap laughs. One appeared to be based on Coronation Street and was a bit out of place. Throughout the performance, men were dragged from the audience onstage to be humiliated which I would object to - except they looked as though they were loving it!
This show is undoubtedly tacky- but it doesn't pretend not to be. I thought the song choice was excellent and the costumes are oustanding. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure who I would recommend The Ladyboys of Bangkok to. Probably not men, as they seemed to get a bit of a hard time throughout. Despite the song selection, it probably isn't for musical theatre loyalists as nothing is sung live. It's not quite panto, and it isn't quite karaoke. I did find the evening hugely enjoyable and very entertaining!
Ticket information for The Ladyboys of Bangkok is available on the edfringe website.
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