Thailand Cabaret Shows are a treat to the eyes. We had chosen the Simon Cabaret Show at Phuket and were floored. We didn’t know what to expect but was up for it as it was highly recommended by friends who had visited the place.
Phuket Simon Cabaret
The Phuket Simon Cabaret has been entertaining its audience since about two decades. It is located in Patong. It has the usual cabaret elements of songs, dance, humor and audience participation. Most of the artists are ladyboys i.e. transgender women. But hell No! It is a difficult task to identify them. They are so pretty and the years of training and hormonal and medical procedures have transformed them into stunning gorgeous women. I was lost in the splendor and beauty of the performance and I don’t think I have blinked even once during the 90-minute show.
Simon Cabaret Show PC: Maj.Manna
It is an exquisitely choreographed show and there is no live singing. The stupendous costumes and music will blow your mind away. You’ll not get to know that the performers are lady boys unless told by someone. I was astounded by the ease with which they carried off the heavy costumes and managed to dance in high heels, all with a smile on their faces.
One of my favorite performance included the different Disney anti-heroes like Captain Hook, The Little Mermaid‘s Ursula, The Lion King’s Scar, Snow White‘s wicked queen, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, Cruella De Vil and the Queen of Hearts. And the other being the tribute to Beyonce’s Single Ladies.
The dance sequences are on songs from various countries, in several languages to cater to the varied international audience (including Bollywood). We were grinning wide when there was a performance on ‘Dilliwaali Girlfriend‘ with all the Thumkas and Jhatkas. The lip sync and co-ordination is perfect and the costumes are out of the world. They also have tried to incorporate different folktales and culture around the world. And Gods No! It’s not an adulterated show, but is fun and can be watched along with friends and family. Kids are allowed as well. Oh, I was skeptical initially. Tell me about it.
The theater is relatively small. It is better to buy a VIP ticket to be seated in the front row. It’s worth it! Who knows you’ll walk out with lipstick marks on both cheeks. That’s the funny interactive bit! Photography and cameras are prohibited during the show but you can have your picture taken outside the theater, with any or many performers of your choice. You’ll have to tip them, though.
Simon Cabaret Theatre
Simon Cabaret Show Ticket Price
There are three shows every night – at 6 pm, 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm. Simon Cabaret is closed on Thursdays. The VIP ticket will cost you 1000 Baht for an adult and 800 Baht for a child. The regular seats would be of 800 Baht for an adult and 600 Baht for a child.
Things to Know before heading for Simon Cabaret Show
After the show, the performers line up at the exit and you can click photographs with them. Keep in mind that each performer will ask 100 Baht from you. So, when you click a photograph with one of them, keep a watch out for other performers who try to squeeze in.
Simon Cabaret Performers after the show
Each ticket is entitled to a complimentary water bottle. But they will not let you take the bottle inside the theater. So, if you want a souvenir, collect the water bottle after the performance (like we did). No, don’t judge! It’s not every day you get a bottle with the Simon Cabaret Label!
There are other Cabaret shows in Thailand. The popular ones include Alcazar Cabaret Show in Pattaya and Calypso Cabaret Show in Bangkok. So, the next time you head to Thailand, be sure not to miss this funny and upbeat performance, as fascinating as a musical broadway show, or like watching the song ‘Malang Malang‘ from the Bollywood movie Dhoom 3.
Like it? Pin it 🙂
Stay tuned as I will be talking in detail about some of the exotic islands and shopping, and other attractions Thailand has to offer.
I am writing all about Thailand this April for the A to Z Challenge 2017. Thanks for all the love you’ve showered on this space! You can also check out my food blog for A to Z Indian Dishes to Die For.
I found them really beautiful at the Alcazar show in phuket!
Tina Basu recently posted…Celebrate Life – Step 3 to a Meaningful Life – A to Z Challenge 2017
Think of how much respect and adulation this gender gets there and how we demean them here. And in that adulation, they flourish so much… becomes stars of housefull shows.
If only we gave a chance for people here to be the best they can be, irrespective of what makes them different from us.
Roshan Radhakrishnan recently posted…Chris Dempsey is a Shining Example of Selflessness #AtoZChallenge
The girls are so pretty and the show looks majestic! I’ve never seen a live cabaret and would love to see one! Thanks for sharing, Shalini! I am enjoying the Thailand trip!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Cozy Slippers #AtoZChallenge
Wow the show looks spectacular… All that costume and dancing… This is something I would love to see. The lady boys look soooo prettyyy… Thanks for sharing this. ❤
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Travel Tales: Cherry Blosson #atozchallenge
Interesting. One more reason for me to visit Bangkok again.
I so want to see a live cabaret show after reading this post. The performs look stunning!
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…Crushes
I had watched a documentary on the Ladyboys and was stunned at the transformation of a man to a woman; but htese procedures are very costly and painful. Plus the transgenders are a discriminated lot in Thailand, despite the fact that they earn so much from the tourism for Thailand. People come to be with them and see their shows.
And yeah I would have loved to collect the bottle as a souvenir too – neat tip that! 😉
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
C is for ChaiJaai café Srinagar #atozchallenge
SHALINI BAISIWALA recently posted…[C ] Chai Zai cafe in Srinagar | #atozchallenge 2017 |
Hello hello hello saghave…sukham? I keep reading your posts but then i do not get time to leave a comment. Now utilizing the time while going to work in metro !!!
I didnt expect Cabaret for the alphabet C at all, was expecting another place in Thailand. This is getting really interesting. 🙂 And they all look so beautiful, i think dance has nothing to do with gender so its all good as long as they are a treat to watch..isn’t it ?
I am posting everyday night by 10pm after coming back from work 🙁 Lot of reading to be done this weekend!!!
#AmazingAndamans with Sneha , and i recently took you through the Beaches Beaches and Beaches
Happy blogging 🙂
~~ gal from the island ~~
I would love to see this! Thanks for the tip about the water bottle. If someday I’m lucky enough to go here, I’ll take mine in the end like you did 😀
Also, wanted to agree with what Doc said above. It’s so true, the difference here and there.
Sreesha recently posted…Call Me When You’re Sober | #AtoZChallenge
We watched the Calypso Cabaret in Bangkok and were enthralled! What a stunning performance and difficult to believe the gender of the performers, till they spoke up:))))
Mayuri
I have been to this show in Phuket about 7-8 years ago. I was enthralled by the magnificence of it all – the aesthetic sets, the beautiful she-boys and the choreography. I had never imagined a cabaret to be so tasteful. Thanks for bringing back those memories!
Vinodini recently posted…Nurturing Confidence #AtoZChallenge
This looks pretty majestic. I would love to see this one!
Sheethal recently posted…Create your Creation
Had been to the Alcazar show in Pattaya. It was then that I realised why the lady boys of Thailand are so famous!!! Some of them were more beautiful than our Bollywood actresses?
Nice article!!
We missed this. A lot of people recommended this but we were like “Naah, it is just dancing after all”. But bloody hell, how could I have missed it? Next time for sure.
Aren’t the lady boys gorgeous looking? I am yet to find a woman who looks so pretty.
Soumya recently posted…C: Chocolat – Book Review #AToZChallenge
This is intriguing. Loved the vivid captures of the majestic shows, as it seems. Would love to watch one live for sure 😀
Truly Yours Roma
Roma Gupta Sinha recently posted…Can I Keep You Safe in My Heart ~ Vol3 Of The Enchanting Tale of Priyam and Veer ‘Lost Love’
That’s a lovely blog.Now this too is on my bucket list
Launching SIM Organics
*Menaka Bharathi*
*SimpleIndianMom*
Beautifully penned !
Have watched a documentary on ladyboys in Thailand. It’s interesting how they are still fighting to be accepted while at the same time, lauded for their performances. Cabaret seems like an interesting experience 🙂
Sanch @ Sanch Writes recently posted…#Cascade: Woman of the modern world #atozchallenge
Amazing! The body looks like it’s made of wax! definitely on the must-visit list . Great photography!
shubhangi srikanth recently posted…C – 5 ways to Cheer up someone!
the show looks pretty spectacular. I can feel your enjoyment.
Suzy recently posted…Change Occurs … #atozchallenge letter C
Beautifully penned, perfect guide for cabaret lovers
Thanks for sharing
Care for!! What to expect during the First trimester of Pregnancy Part 2
dew cool recently posted…Care for!! What to expect during the First trimester of Pregnancy- Part 2 #Atozchallenge
I can feel how you must have enjoyed Shalz, wonderful writeup
Launching SIM Organics
*Menaka Bharathi*
*SimpleIndianMom*
Menaka Bharathi recently posted…Choosing Your Organic Vegetables For Contaner Gardens – The Wise Way To Do It Right
Lovely ladies. I haven’t seen any cabaret shows in Thailand but I would love to, specially after reading your post.
Kalpanaa recently posted…Confusion
Great share. I am marking all these. Its so good to see so much appreciation for their work. I wish it would have been the same here in India too.
Dipanwita recently posted…#A-Z Challenge – C Is For Caribou Lou
This looks like so much fun and I am sure you had lots of fun. They are all so pretty and cant think of them as boys. Added to my list of places for our trip 🙂
Deepa recently posted…Competition- Are you a pushy parent? #AtoZchallenge
Neat very neat. Just wish they received the respect they deserve. Discrimination hope is a thing of the past some day
Blog: natashamusing
Theme: Travel Epiphanies
Captivating Jungle Run
Those are ladyboys? They look gorgeous! Looks like a fabulous show indeed!
Modern Gypsy recently posted…Collage: a quick and dirty primer
They look so pretty! You have invoked a new interest in me now. I’m not sure if I’ll enjoy that, but would definitely want to try. Their costumes are fabulous and the overall setup is so lively and full of colors.
Anmol Rawat recently posted…Devil Walks Among Us