Bangkok's 'Wonder Boys'

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STAGE REVIEW

Bangkok's 'Wonder Boys'

Pawit Mahasarinand

Special to The Nation

At 24 years young, 'Calypso' is still one of the best stage shows in the city

BANGKOK: -- More than 10 years have passed since I last caught the stage show "Calypso" at the Asia Hotel. On that last occasion, a Vietnamese gay friend - a dancer and choreographer - was in town and I remember to this day his comment as we left. "Oh, my god, I'm glad I'm not a woman," he said, much to my mirth. What he probably meant, though I admit I didn't check, was that as a woman, he'd be envious of the breathtaking beauty of the performers.

Since then, whenever foreign friends and colleagues, theatre professors among them, have visited, I've been recommending "Calypso" as a must-see, along with the sadly now-defunct Joe Louis Theatre at Suan Lum Night Bazaar and/or "Siam Niramit".

"Watch both and you'll better understand contemporary Bangkok, a city of contrasts," I tell them. I've only had good words back so far.

So when two French VIPs were visiting earlier this month and tickets to "Si Phaendin: The Musical" were sold out for the night in question, I took them to the Asia Hotel for "Calypso".

In a cabaret format, the show features many short scenes inspired by popular songs, movies or cultural stereotypes from countries around the world - to name a few, "All That Jazz", "Hot Honey Rag", "I Who Have Nothing", "The Chinese Ballad" and "Geisha". But it's not just "cover dance" - that fad so favoured by Thai teens. Most scenes have fun twists here and there that are either cheekily surprising or hilariously grotesque. There's also a nice contrast in moods and tones from one scene to the next, and that, coupled with quick scene changes and practical props, keeps the whole 75-minute show moving along at a fine pace. Inclusion of both the "unofficial" Korean national anthem "Arirang", which I remember loving last time I watched the show, and K-Pop anthem, the Wonder Girls' "Nobody" is also intriguing.

The women, or should I say men, are beautiful, far more beautiful than many women, and their costumes are stunning. This is even more evident when audience members stay on after the show to take photos with them. But what's more important, and this is why the how has been running for so long, is that all the cast member know how to act, showing the meanings of the lyrics of the songs they lip-synch through their facial expressions and physical movements. And that may be why I fall in love with a few of them. Plus, even with two shows a night, 365 days a year, they still manage look fresh and enthusiastic.

Of course, "Calypso Cabaret" is a tourist show, but it's one that locals can be both entertained by and proud of. Bangkok is not London, New York, or even Hong Kong, and usually there's no stage performance, which can be enjoyed by non-Thai speaking audiences every night, despite it being one of the top tourist destinations in the world. And that may be something performing artists here should think of from time to time. For now, I look forward to taking more foreign friends to "Calypso Cabaret" in the years to come and at their new riverside venue.

And that's not just because my French guests enjoyed it so much that they treated me to a foie gras buffet the next day.

Boys will be girls

_ "Calypso Cabaret" is on nightly at the Asia Hotel, with direct access to BTS Ratchatewi station.

Show times are 8.15 and 9.45.

_ Tickets are Bt1,200 (Bt600 for children), with one drink.

_ Book online at least three days in advance at www.CalypsoCabaret.com.

_ Group discounts are available. Buy the Bt1,400 (Bt1,100 children) package and you get Brazilian churascaria cuisine at the Rio Grill Restaurant and the show.

-- The Nation 2012-01-30