The Lady Boys of Bangkok:
The Lady Boys of Bangkok are celebrating 20 years with their Wonder Women Tour, which is currently in Cardiff. Here, one of the stars answers a few questions about life on the road with the cabaret show
THE glamour of Hollywood and the glitz of Las Vegas meet the beloved traditions of classic British music hall in the touring cabaret show The Lady Boys of Bangkok.
The show features 16 of Thailand’s most alluring ladyboys and celebrates some of our most iconic female performers, including Cher, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Diana Ross, Pink, Shirley Bassey and even Wonder Woman herself.
The show is now in Cardiff and we chat to one of the stars of the show, Sonya, who has been with the company for 17 years...
Q: Is this your first time in Cardiff?
A: No. I’ve done lots of tours now and enjoy coming to the UK. Cardiff is a fun city to be in. The people are friendly and always pleased to see us.
Q: Did you grow up in Bangkok?
A: I was born and raised in a small rural village, but my parents wanted me to have a good education, so they sent me to live with relatives in Bangkok. I went to school and college there.
Q: Why did you join The Lady Boys of Bangkok?
A: I started working in other cabaret shows in Thailand after I left college. But I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to come to the UK and perform in this show.
It’s a much bigger show than the ones back home.
Q: What makes this show different?
A: Everything! The shows in Thailand are a lot of fun, but The Lady Boys of Bangkok feels special. The lights, the music, the dance routines… everything is bigger and better.
When you’re performing on the stage here it feels like you’re on the West End or Broadway. It’s glamorous and sparkly and fun. We love it.
Q: What exactly is a ladyboy?
A: Lady Boys are an honourable part of the rich culture of Thailand. We were all born male, but we believe we have the right to define our own gender and sexuality.
Some people see us as the third gender in Thailand.
Q: Who does your makeup?
A: I do my own makeup. We all do. We don’t have makeup artists on the show… we don’t need them. We all know exactly how we like our makeup and we do it ourselves before every show. It takes us about an hour before each show, but it’s worth every second to look beautiful.
Q: How many costumes do you wear on the show?
A: Too many to remember! We have so many gorgeous costumes to wear. It’s a little girl’s dream… you feel like a princess trying them all on. Lots of sequins and sparkles. There are over 400 costumes used on the show, so it’s like your dream wardrobe.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I’m a girly girl at heart. I love shopping, especially for makeup and clothes. I like to sing and dance and hang out with my friends… which is easy when all your best friends are touring with you.
But as much as I love to party, I also like to read if I get a quiet night to myself.
Q: Have you got any plans while you’re in Cardiff?
A: We are going to do lots of shopping and take lots of pictures to send home! I want to visit the castle while we’re here and get some pictures for my family. You don’t see castles like that in Thailand.
Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t here now?
A: I would probably be working in my family’s bar in Bangkok with my friends and playing with my dog, who I miss. But I am having so much fun here.
Q: Any backstage gossip?
A: We like to play games in the dressing room and hide Trevor’s costumes!
Q: What is your favourite song in this year’s show?
A: Ooh, that’s tough. There are so many good songs… It is probably ABBA. We have a medley of ABBA songs in the show which has one of my favourite dance routines. People love it and it always gets everybody up and dancing at every performance.
Q: What is your favourite thing about The Lady Boys of Bangkok?
A: That’s an easy one. The people who come to see us! We have the best audiences at the show. Better than at any other show I’ve been to see anywhere. Everybody comes to have a good time and a laugh and sometimes a dance.
We love it. It wouldn’t be the same without our audience.
The Lady Boys of Bangkok are at the Sabai Pavilion, Roald Dahl Plas, Cardiff until Sunday, April 29. To book tickets call 0871 705 0705 or visit www.ladyboysofbangkok. co.uk