Everything you ever wanted to know about the LadyBoys of Bangkok (but were too afraid to ask!)

THOSE who have witnessed the LadyBoys of Bangkok in all their glory will tell you it's unless any other show on Earth

Born out of Edinburgh in 1998, the show has gone from strength to strength year after year. They have entertained almost a million Fringe Festival goer, and the number is growing.

They're now one of the biggest names at the festival, with people flocking from all over the globe to witness their one-of-kind cabaret show known for its special blend of entertainment, humour, glitz and glam.

But who are the LadyBoys of Bangkok, where did the show come from, and why do we keep coming back for more?

Ahead of their run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with brand new show Forever Yours...X, we spoke to their publicist Tony Wilkie-Millar about the phenomenal success of the show, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a LadyBoy.

So what exactly is a LadyBoy?

A LadyBoy is a Thai performer who was born a boy but adopts the lifestyle and mannerisms of a girl.

This is similar to how transgender women identify. However, in Thailand, the term LadyBoys use is kathoey, which dates as far back as when Thailand was still known as Siam.

Back then, some groups within the kathoey community would provide entertainment at events such as temple festivals. This soon died off when theatres and cinemas began to spring up.

Tony explained: "It was only 25 or 30 years ago that a local entrepreneur had an idea in Bangkok to provide a cabaret show using these LadyBoys, as they became known, as a tourist attraction."

How did the LadyBoys of Bangkok show begin?

Believe it or not, the show as we know it began in Edinburgh in 1998.

When Phillip Gandey - the show's artistic director - paid the original Bangkok show a visit at the request of Executive Producer Carol Gandey (the pair were seeking out new talent for their production company Gandey World Class Productions), he knew he'd found something special.

Tony said: "With great reservation, he went to see the show and what he saw really blew him away.

"Although the show was not quite what he was after, he could see the potential in it."

And with that, the concept of the LadyBoys of Bangkok show was born.

After working on the show's production, Phillip and Carol brought the LadyBoys to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time in 1998 and the show had a very successful debut run.

"On the first night, you couldn't get a seat for love nor money," said Tony.

The following year, the LadyBoys had other commitments and weren't available to perform at the Fringe with Gandey World Class Productions, much to the chagrin of their new fans.

"People were knocking on the box office saying, 'Where’s these blokes that wear the dresses?'," said Tony. "All winter, people had been talking about the show - that was the deciding factor that the demand was definitely there."

So what does it take to be a LadyBoy of Bangkok and perform in one of the biggest cabaret shows in the world?

"Being a LadyBoy is a lifestyle," said Tony. "But being part of the cast of the LadyBoys of Bangkok is, in itself, a lifestyle."

To be a LadyBoy of Bangkok, you must be interested in the art of performance, be trained in stage work and presentation, and know how to dance properly and learn choreography.

Tony said: "Basically they have to be consummate entertainers.

"They come to the UK in March and tour the country until November, the begin rehearsals for the following tour in January.

"It's kind of a non-stop operation and you have to be a dedicated performer."

What kind of dedication? Between a cast of 16, there are 400 costumes which are used for every show. That's 25 costumes per performer. So, that kind of dedication.

"It's bit like Clapham Junction on a busy day," said Tony.

So what is the show all about and why is it so popular?

The LadyBoys have returned to Edinburgh year after year, garnering an audience of almost one million since day one.

Their show involves a wonderful variety of comedy, cabaret, music, dance, and, of course, amazing costumes.

Tony said their unyielding popularity is all down to the entertainment value.

"We provide entertainment in a really fun way, in a party way.

"People come and treat it as a night out.

He explained that even those who are seeing the show for the first time and are a little apprehensive of what to expect soon fall in love with the show.

"Within ten minutes, they're totally absorbed in the atmosphere of it," he said. "These performers put their heart and soul into this show."

And what can audiences expect from this year's show Forever Yours...X?

Basically a bigger and better version of the show, with all the usual entertainment, music and humour they are known and loved for.

"This year they'll be doing tributes to Katy Perry, Shakira, Little Mix and the Bay City Rollers," said Tony.

"That is just going to be something else, and I hope everyone remembers to bring their scarfs along!"

And, as always, there's a good bit of audience participation involved.

Tony said: "There's always somebody, usually a man, who is encouraged to get on stage to take part in a song.

"You can tell when people are first brought on stage they’re a bit nervous but by the time they come off stage they’re more than happy, because it’s like at a party."

Is the show family friendly?

Not exactly.

"There’s nothing shocking, there’s no nudity or crudeness in it but it has been created for an adult audience," said Tony.

If parents did decide to bring kids along (as long as they met the age restriction of 16+), Tony joked: "It would be up to them to explain what LadyBoys were - that's not part of our remit!"