Their website says in describing their top star, that, "She's more of a man than you'll ever be, and even more of a woman." As so often happens in this Land of Smiles, things aren't always quite as they appear to be, at first sideways glance. Still don't get it? OK, let me spell it out for you. All the cast, man and boy, are… well… men and boys. Baldly, they are ladyboys with long locks, lean loins, lingering looks and the longest legs you've ever dreamed of – Thailand's unique, confusing contribution to the notion that the battle of the sexes is a two-cornered fight. However, don't be put off. If you're expecting male-voice choirs then you're in for a disappointment.
The Cabaret is situated a little way away from Soi Bangla, the Patong epicentre. The theatre is a big, windowless building that is easy to find, as it's mainly decorated in a rather violent tint of violet.
I met with Khun Richard, the general manager, in the bistro-style bar in front of the theatre, just before the show and asked how and when this phenomenally successful 'show-business' business, started out. Samrit and Virat Rouyrin (the man-and wife inspiration for it all) opened the first Simon Cabaret in Pattaya 20 years ago and it was an immediate hit, so when they moved to Phuket two years later and opened up shop in Patong, they were sure that they had a winning formula. Apparently, at this time, nobody else shared their confidence. The 'Simon' in Simon Cabaret, by the way, is the owner's brother.
Khun Virat still does all the choreography hands-on, so even though they now employ more than 200 people (of which 80 are performers), and have many other business interests, it's still very much a family business.