Bar Entertainment

[Guest RichLB]

I am curious. Lately I've noticed that caberet shows are becoming more and more popular. More surprising is that the performers seem largely (pun intended) older farang. Do most of you like these kinds of entertainment? Frankly, I've never met anyone who does, but then my friendship circle doesn't include everyone. What is the appeal of watching an aging farang flouncing about on stage and lip syncing show tunes? It's getting more and more difficult to find a show bar that does not feature such acts. Surely we didn't come to Pattaya for this - or did most of you?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Why come to Thailand to see over the hill farang drag queens? I don't get it.

[Guest Oogleman]

Beats me, Though i confess i do like Maisie Trollette when shes had a gin or 3 , that said the rest aren`t very good,

 

Somebody must like it though - as you said , they feature in many party and charity nights.

[Gaybutton]

I don't get it.

I'm adding that to my "I Don't Get It" list too. Personally I think the performers are the ones who most like it. I might like it too if the people singing, even the elderly entertainers, actually would sing instead of this lip synching. Lip synching is also on my "I Don't Get It" list. What on earth is entertaining about watching anybody lip synch? Why not just hire real singers? There are plenty of talented singers around who would love to have a job. But from my point of view, who needs lip synch? If I want to listen to Ethel Merman, I'll buy a CD. Somehow, watching someone in his mid 70's, dressed in drag and looking absolutely ridiculous, who is lip synching is not exactly my idea of the manner by which I want to be entertained. But it is my idea of a very good reason to walk out.

 

And people keep asking me why I don't go to bar shows.

[atri1666]

I really dont travel to see shows >> only to collect big "bananas"

[Guest luvthai]

The only Cabaret I used to enjoy was Simon Cabaret down on Walking Street. Sadly tho they are no more. Now if I happen to be in a bar and the show starts I just leave for awhile.

[Guest gay_grampa]

I have been told that many of the old drag queen performers like Maisie like to come to Pattaya on holiday. Once the word gets round that they are coming then they are asked to do some charity performances so that organizations like Thais4Life can benefit.

 

It's odd that this topic keeps coming up on most of the boards and many posters say that they don't like the acts ... yet if you go to the performances the venues are always full.

 

And for the information of those who don't go ... Maisie Trollette always sings live; never lip synching.

[Gaybutton]

many posters say that they don't like the acts ... yet if you go to the performances the venues are always full.

 

And for the information of those who don't go ... Maisie Trollette always sings live; never lip synching.

I'm glad there's one, at least, who actually sings.

 

Yes, the venues are full. I think the majority like these acts. It's the majority of those posting about them, including me, who dislike them. Obviously many people do like these acts. And yet even on this thread so far there have been no posts from anyone who says they do like these acts.

 

I have nothing against these acts. It's certainly fine with me if most people enjoy them. But as for me, forget it. I don't like them and I'm not going. I'm sure the venues that present these acts will find a way to somehow survive the loss . . .

[Guest RichLB]

Yep, I agree. These acts do seem to play to packed houses and, frankly, the response of the audiences has always been enthusiastic. But, for the life of me, I can't figure out why. To me, they seem either embarrassing in their pandering to the worst of stereotypes most of us have spent our lives trying to escape or they are misogynistic in their parody of women. In either case, I find them distasteful.

[Up2u]

RichLB, GB and myself are American expats. My circle of friends are American although I have British and Aussie friends too. I do believe that the likes and dislikes of drag shows is cultural. Notice that the owners/performers of places like BBB, Copa and now the Venue are Brits (what about Oscar's "Miss Dolly"?). My English friends have confirmed this; that drag shows like we now have in Pattaya are popular back home and is part of the gay scene. Years ago (many, many I might add) when I first went to S.F., many gay bars had drag shows and it was part of the gay scene. Then the questions were asked; were they popular?, were they stereotyping gay men?, were they any good?, were they good for business? The answer was that they disappeared quickly from the S.F. gay bars. Today, of the hundreds of Gay bars in S.F. only 2 or 3 have drag shows. My conclusion is obvious, our dear Brit/Aussie friends are more sophisticated than us Yanks!

[Guest lvdkeyes]

My conclusion is obvious, our dear Brit/Aussie friends are more sophisticated than us Yanks!

You think it is more sophisticated to enjoy over the hill drag queens doing routines that have been done for decades?

[Guest RichLB]

My conclusion is obvious, our dear Brit/Aussie friends are more sophisticated than us Yanks!

Sophisticated, perhaps; but gay evolved, I don't think so. There was a time back in the US when comdieans, even on public TV, used drag as an element in their routines - Flip Wilson's Geraldine, Milton Berle, etc. But, as the gay movement progressed and women's liberation grew in popularity drag as a comdeic foil became less popular. Advertisers concluded that offending people (gays and women) was simply bad business and even though some viewers enjoyed riduling "minorities" they stopped supporting it. After all, black face was at one time considred funny, too.

 

But, I think Up2U might be right about the popularity of these shows being cultural. Maybe the advent of "political correctness" has lagged in Britain and Australia and they are less aware that poking fun at a group can have negative consequences. That might explan why these performers are almost always aging throwbacks to an earlier time

 

I'm struck by the difference between Thai katoey and Western drag. While I am not a fan of drag shows, it does seem to me that the Thai version is almost an homage to women. Katoeys appear to work hard at converting themselves into beautiful images of femininity while the Western version focusses on caricatures, mocking women with inflated breasts, garrish make up, and outlandish dresses. Somehow, I just don't find that sophisticated.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

While I am not a fan of drag shows, it does seem to me that the Thai version is almost an homage to women. Katoeys appear to work hard at converting themselves into beautiful images of femininity while the Western version focusses on caricatures, mocking women with inflated breasts, garrish make up, and outlandish dresses. Somehow, I just don't find that sophisticated.

I remember back in the 60's when drag in the US was also "glam" drag like it is with the kateoys here now.

[Guest fountainhall]

I'm struck by the difference between Thai katoey and Western drag. While I am not a fan of drag shows, it does seem to me that the Thai version is almost an homage to women. Katoeys appear to work hard at converting themselves into beautiful images of femininity while the Western version focusses on caricatures, mocking women with inflated breasts, garrish make up, and outlandish dresses. Somehow, I just don't find that sophisticated

Although I have not lived in the west for more than 30 years, in the UK there is a long tradition of drag in pantomime which, whilst not portraying glamorous figures, generally does not involve "inflated breasts and garrish make up".

 

And British entertainer drag artist Danny La Rue, one of the most popular stage and TV stars over several decades, looked both beautiful and feminine.

[Gaybutton]

As an aside, you know what I don't see much of in Thailand? Emo boys.

 

Am I missing something? Maybe it hasn't really caught on here because they can't understand just exactly what it is supposed to be. Neither can I.

[Guest RichLB]

As an aside, you know what I don't see much of in Thailand? Emo boys.

 

Am I missing something? Maybe it hasn't really caught on here because they can't understand just exactly what it is supposed to be. Neither can I.

 

Well, as I understand it, emo boys, are more a quasi political statement than anything else. It is a phenomena generated by a desire to break out of traditional male/female roles. Since those roles are not so rigidly enforced in Thailand, it might be that there is little impetus for such a social statement.

[Guest]

I actually LOVE drag shows when they are well done and professional. I hate them when they seem thrown together fast and not rehearsed.

 

I never go to a bar in NYC unless it has a drag queen running the show. They are the best.

 

When I am Thailand, I am not really looking for shows as much as gogos. Perhaps I'll evolve eventually!

[Gaybutton]

Perhaps I'll evolve eventually!

Why should you? If you love drag shows, then Pattaya is perfect for you and you have plenty to enjoy here. Different strokes for different folks.

[Guest]

Why should you? If you love drag shows, then Pattaya is perfect for you and you have plenty to enjoy here. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Well, I love Drag Shows but haven't really enjoyed any in Pattaya. Very amateur. IMHO

 

Sao Paulo Brazil is the best for that! New York City is second.

[Guest Astrrro]

What on earth is entertaining about watching anybody lip synch?

 

The best dancer in Euroboys is an extremely entertaining lip syncher. He not only mouths the words correctly but invents appropriate gestures that match the lyrics. No costume required.

[Guest]

The best dancer in Euroboys is an extremely entertaining lip syncher. He not only mouths the words correctly but invents appropriate gestures that match the lyrics. No costume required.

 

OK Astrro that turns me on. However, would you be happy if I did the same thing? Or, me and Gaybutton in a duo? LOL

 

When you put a guy that looks like a lady singing like a lady, that I enjoy. When you put an old man who looks like an old man in a dress, that does not turn me on. It is not an age thing either. My favorite Drag Queen in NYC is in her 50's. But, she pulls it off very well. (9 inch Cuban cock to boot).

[Guest Astrrro]

Yah, the cuban cigar helps!

 

I agree, the last ting I want to see is falangs in drag.

 

I don't even like Thai ladyboy shows that are done in the bars. My fiends walk out of Cascade in Bangkok when the show starts and we never go to Villa Rouge in Sunee if it's showtime.

[Guest gay_grampa]

 

... My fiends walk out of Cascade in Bangkok when the show starts ...

 

That's a new one? Where is Cascade?

[Gaybutton]

Where is Cascade?

It's a Nana Plaza lady-boy bar in Bangkok.