Interview: The Producers of Lady Boys of Bangkok
THE Lady Boys of Bangkok return to the North East of England in spectacular style with a flamboyant extravaganza combining the glamorous showgirl appeal of Las Vegas, the wow-factor of West End musicals and the heady spice of Bangkok’s exotic nightlife. STEVE BURBRIDGE caught up with Phillip and Carol Gandey to find out more.
GET your glad-rags on, meet up with your mates and prepare to party, party, party. The fabulous Lady Boys of Bangkok are back by public demand and ready to entertain you like you’ve never been entertained before.
For the seventh successive year, sixteen of the world’s most beautiful show-girls – who just happen to be men – are bringing the country’s favourite cabaret show back to Newcastle. The Fantasy and Feathers production encompasses sexy space-themed numbers, sensuous Latin rhythms and pulsating pop hits from Lady Gaga to The Saturdays.
The producers and performers are delighted to be returning to Tyneside, as Phillip Gandey, artistic director, explains: ‘First and foremost, we find the Geordie audiences are very outgoing and don’t just sit there waiting to be entertained. They are ready to go out, party and really enjoy themselves and they come back year on year as they know the show is different every year.
‘They also know they are guaranteed a good time and that the songs and satirical comedy will be topical and up to date.’
One aspect that always remains the same, though, is the consistently high production standards associated with the show. Audiences will be treated to the trade-mark painstakingly-applied immaculate make-up, the glittering array of more than 300 designer-inspired hand-sewn costumes and the deliciously decadent show-stopping performances and routines.
‘We try to create a night out in Bangkok,’ says Phillip. ‘With all the sights and smells of Thailand under our Sabai Pavilion it is easy to leave the everyday humdrum world behind and immerse yourself into the heart of Bangkok’s pulsating nightlife.’
Every effort is made to ensure that the show is enjoyed by all, as Phillip continues: ‘We are very conscious that it is not only the personnel on stage who make an experience, but all of our front of house staff. We make every single customer feel welcome from the moment they set foot in the Pavilion.’
However, the production is not marketed as ‘family entertainment’ and, although the shows are never crude or vulgar, certain age restrictions do apply.
‘Although there is no nudity in the show, parts are sexually suggestive and for that reason we have suggested age limits in place,’ Phillip explains. ‘This is 12 years or over for the earlier shows and 16 years or over for the evening shows.’
But the Lady Boys have proven to be a big hit with women and the show is the perfect way to spend a girlie night out or turn an office party into something really special.
‘We have an attractive all-inclusive deal for hen parties and groups of ten people or more which includes not only premium seating but also food and drink,’ says executive producer Carol Gandey.
‘Although we don’t actually aim the show at a specific age or gender, natural curiosity means our average audience is 60% women,’ adds Phillip.
Yet, last year’s production saw a significant increase in the number of men accompanying their wives and partners to the show.
‘Many men have told us they regret not coming to see the show in previous years,’ says Carol. ‘In fact, several have said they thought their wives or partners had been deliberately putting them off coming to see the show so that they could have a really good girl’s night out!’
Phillip continues: ‘Our productions occupy a unique position in the world of entertainment. We staged the first show in Edinburgh 12 years ago and we knew then we had something special. Each year our audiences continue to grow and our productions become more ambitious.
‘The Lady Boys of Bangkok is a unique night out and a way of reintroducing cabaret to a 21st century audience which, largely, hasn’t seen cabaret before.’
Phillip concludes by emphasising the fact that, after seeing the Lady Boys perform on stage, ‘audiences will never look at the opposite sex in the same way again.’
The Lady Boys of Bangkok are at The Sabai Pavilion, Times Square, Newcastle, from Saturday, September 11 until Saturday, October 9. Tickets are £22 for adults, £19 for concessions and £10 for students.
Discounts are not applicable on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call the box office on 0871 705 0705.
You can also enter our great competition to win a pair of tickets for the show by Clicking Here
Tags: Carol Gandey, Fantasy and Feathers Tour, Interview, Lady Boys of Bangkok, Philip Gandey
