Calypso Cabaret — Attraction in Wat Phraya Krai Subdistrict

So first of all. The quality of production is amazing!! It really is like going to the theatre for the night. The sound, lighting, and staging really is so well done.

The performers are true professionals, the dancing is really good. The lip syncing is funny down the wrong reasons in certain places. But as a lady boy show it's really well done.

Now the reason I can only give it 3 stars after that glowing start. The show lasts about 50 minutes. And for the price I think that's expensive. The drinks and food, once inside are also expensive! But the thing that really ruined the experience for me was the harassment for photos when leaving the show.

It's customary to have photos with the performers of any lady boy or cabaret show in Thailand and give them a tip afterwards. I've been coming to Thailand for 20 years and I've seen this particular show 3 times over the years. I've seen many shows on my travels. And tipping is normal. But the thing about a tip is... It's if you want to. This feels like you're expected to because they are basically shouting at you to come and have a photo.

So this experience left me feeling really uncomfortable. You have to pass through all the performers at the exit, and they are all trying to call you over for a photo. And then there were 3 holding signs saying (100bht 1 performer) but they were almost blocking the walkway so you had to push past them.

It just ruined the experience. Some people like to go and see a show and then leave. This experience makes it feel uncomfortable. And it's a shame because the show itself is really good. It's just short and expensive for the length of the production.

And this is why I can only give what should be a 5 star production 3 stars.

Increase the length of the show, stop the begging for tips afterwards and then...

I went to this show with a group of friends/coworkers on a Thursday night. I will admit that I had low expectations going into this show. It was mostly because I did not think that I would find it entertaining (because it is not really "my thing"), but I also had never been to this type of show before, so I wanted to see what they were like.

Most of us got tickets at the front desk for regular price. We were then seated, and the theatre room was about half full during this particular evening. You get a free drink with your ticket – I ordered a mixed drink, which was only okay.

Without really giving anything away!!... The show consists of multiple (mixed) short acting scenes and live dance/music/song performances. Each act may be from some form of art style or period in history, with each from different regions in the world. Not surprisingly, there were some acts/performances that aimed at changing public opinion about transgender, etc.

In the end, I appreciated all of the acting scenes, which may seem weird at first, since they sometimes do it without words and then you have to figure out what's going on. The musical performances were all pretty entertaining, with some being outright comical (like everyone in theater laughed). They even interact with the audience sometimes. Overall I enjoyed watching it with our group of friends/coworkers.

I would recommend only to those with "open minds" (probably better to be in groups) who want something new and entertaining to do for...

Last night I went and watched the 9.45pm performance of Calypso Cabaret at Asiatique Waterffront - Bangkok. The show lasted for about 55 minutes. The audience was not very large at all, perhaps 100 in total.

The theatre is lovely and you are very close to the stage and can buy drinks and food from your tables using a QR code.

Many of the costumes were beautiful with the guys also looking very smartly dressed.

You also get to take photos at the end of the performance and like other cabaret shows you will be asked to pay $100 baht per performer that is included in your picture - that is standard practice.

I guess thats where the positives stop.

The performance uses mostly video screens as there props screening all the different sets they are using to support the show and that is a big let down.

I would also say the show itself was somewhat lack lustre with very basic choreography. They also had an announcer walk the floor announcing each act and the microphone was unnecessarily loud. We also got announcements in the last act saying, boys, girls, ladies as each group thanked the audience as if we couldnt see that. Surely they could have acknowledged each performer group better than boys, girls etc

Some five weeks ago we went and saw the Simon Cabaret in Phuket and that show had amazing sets and props, the performaers were stunningly beautiful and the show itself was way better - chalk and cheese...