Bangkok's Lady Boys to make Leeds debut
In hot pants and with feather boas they are a picture of glamour ...even on a cold and rainy day in Leeds.
But the performers who lit up Millennium Square to promote their upcoming cabaret-style show are not exactly all girls together.
For behind the feminine charms lies the fact that they were all born as men.
The Lady Boys of Bangkok are currently touring the UK and are set to make their first ever trip to Yorkshire when they appear in Leeds from October 11 to 25.
The show will take place in a specially built marquee, the Sabai Pavilion, in Millennium Square.
With Las Vegas-style production values, a cabaret spectacular is promised.
All 16 showgirls were born male, but as teenagers adopted a female persona, growing their hair and nails and wearing make-up and female clothing. In some cases they have had sex-change operations.
One of the performers, Leyla, said she knew as a nine-year-old boy living in Thailand that she wanted to be a female performer.
"I liked make-up and dressing up in costumes. It's what I wanted to do. I love the way the audience reacts to me, they are so happy."
There are also six male dancers.
Show spokesperson Tony Wilkie-Millar, said: "We've always wanted to come to Leeds.
"There's a great Yorkshire tradition of live entertainment.
"Lady Boys of Bangkok is pure entertainment – fun and sexy, but never vulgar. You could definitely bring your granny."
The show has become one of the most popular productions touring in the UK. It sells out at the Edinburgh Festival each year.
Mr Wilkie-Millar said: "Most of the the audience is female. We thought it would appeal more to men, but women just love the show.
"Sometimes there's a wee bit of jealousy as the girls are stunning and very glamorous!"
Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008
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