This Valentines evening my friends and I headed to the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, a place that has a large concentration of bars, go-go bars, massage parlours and so on. Basically, all the kinds of nightspots that Bangkok has got a reputation for. We were not there to bar-hop, experience the popular Thai massage, dine and we'd booked tickets for a cabaret at a place called Mambo. And when I write cabaret, what I mean is a show that is actually all men, in one state of trans-gender migration or other. Ladyboys, transvestites, she-males - whatever your choice of phrase, or whatever phrase they prefer to be known by, this was what we were here to see. Heck, this is what a lot of visitors to Bangkok are here to see. So, as I walked up the steps to Mambo Cabaret, I suddenly had second thoughts about my choice of clothing(what the!).
The show started at just after 8pm, and the audience seemed to be almost entirely Japanese, with possibly a few Malaysians and Chinese. I had thought it would be largely westerners (or 'farangs', as the Thais would call us), and was really quite surprised at the mostly Asian contingent. We started the evening with a complimentary drink; brought to us at the table that is right in front of the comfy seating (arranged theatre style) and then the dancers came on stage.
There really is a moment of disbelief when you see these women come on stage. I mean men. I mean ... oh, whatever, it's all a bit confusing. Some of the women you can tell were not always so. Perhaps it's the shoulders that are too wide, perhaps a slightly fuller looking face with a square jaw? But then there are others who you would swear were 100% natural born, not-messed-about-with women; women whom you would pass in the shopping aisles and not for a moment think "Jeez, those are some big old hands, she must be a goalkeeper." Some of them don't simply 'pass for female' but are genuinely very attractive (and then you remind yourself: "That's a man you're looking at, it's not real").
By way of example, here is a picture of a (used-to-be) man:
Miss Tiffany 2004 - a contest for the most attractive trans-gender woman that, as our friend Stef put it, usually ends up with "winners that are better-looking than the Miss Thailand winner". Can you see any 5 o'clock shadow here? Nor me.
So, as for the cabaret itself, I have to say that I was impressed with the range of numbers they performed, the comedy aspect (there were some laugh-out-loud moments, despite the fact that the routines were done in foreign languages - it's all in the facial expressions) and the sets and costumes. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised by how 'glam' it was in places, but there you go.
The stage scenery and costumes were very colourful.
"In a previous life, I was a fork lift driver but I've since found my niche at Mambo Cabaret."
The 'girl' in the photo above was very popular with one particular group of Japanese girls down at the front. Every time she would go near them, they would all scream and their hands would wave in the air. And there I was thinking that I might come across as a groupie!
After the show guests could have their photo taken with any of the performers (for the small fee of 40 Baht). So we carried on straight for the exit. On the way, we passed the group of Japanese girls once more who, upon seeing their 'idol' had once again gone into a frenzy of screams. I think it's safe to say that they were very keen to have their photo taken next to the star performer. So do we…
