PHUKET: A new theatrical venue opens on Phuket tomorrow that will drive Phuket in a more family-oriented direction and push Patong's notorious Soi Bangla upmarket.
The Danze Fantasy Theatre has been purpose-built at a cost that probably exceeds one billion baht. It will seat 580 patrons and ping-pong balls are not part of performances.
While the show centres on grand illusion, there is no illusion about the change in direction the advent of the venue represents for Patong, and especially Soi Bangla.
Producer Lindy Russell told Phuketwan that the central Soi Bangla site was chosen after ''a lot of research'' because of the amount of passing traffic, and its prime location.
British with a background in dance and choreography, Ms Russell said the theatre will ''give tourists and locals another option for entertainment, something really exciting and different.''
''It's something Soi Bangla needs and it will bring another dimension to Patong and Phuket.''
The opening of the Danze Fantasy Theatre to the public on Wednesday after a media preview tonight intensifies the range of family-rated entertainment choices as Phuket attracts more visitors than ever before.
Late this month the two-billion-baht Siam Niramit spectacular opens off the bypass road in Phuket City, not far from Aphrodite, the katoey cabaret nightspot that opened opposite Tesco-Lotus earlier this year.
Among other entertainment options remain the best-known two, Simon Cabaret in Patong and FantaSea in Kamala.
One thing the new venues demonstrate is that either a vastly increasing number of families and couples are now coming to Phuket, or sexpats have developed a taste for mainstream fun. We think the former is more likely.
While Ms Russell was too polite to speculate, the arrival of Danze Fantasy clearly moves Soi Bangla in the direction of becoming Soi Blingla rather than Soi Bonkla.
There will be a bar section at the new theatre, however, where patrons may enjoy the show from a stool position for 600 baht. How's that for catering to local habits?
Sales and marketing for the first show at the new theatre are ''coming along nicely,'' says Ms Russell.
A troupe of about 30 international performers will appear on stage tonight as the culmination of weeks of rehearsals.
Headliners include Joe Labero, a master magician from Sweden, and the Chicago's, three young men from Russia who form an acrobatic comedy act.
The Seduction group is among supporters of the venue. Curtain goes up at 7.30pm and 9.30pm on the 80-minute performance, aptly entitled Genesis.
Ticket prices vary from a standard 1500 baht (1300 baht for children) to 3300 baht for a VIP seat with loads of extras.
If families are to become patrons at the theatre, will local authorities continue to tolerate street-level go-go pole dancing? Bangla, meet Blingla.
Tickets are available at the theatre.
The Danze Fantasy Theatre has been purpose-built at a cost that probably exceeds one billion baht. It will seat 580 patrons and ping-pong balls are not part of performances.
While the show centres on grand illusion, there is no illusion about the change in direction the advent of the venue represents for Patong, and especially Soi Bangla.
Producer Lindy Russell told Phuketwan that the central Soi Bangla site was chosen after ''a lot of research'' because of the amount of passing traffic, and its prime location.
British with a background in dance and choreography, Ms Russell said the theatre will ''give tourists and locals another option for entertainment, something really exciting and different.''
''It's something Soi Bangla needs and it will bring another dimension to Patong and Phuket.''
The opening of the Danze Fantasy Theatre to the public on Wednesday after a media preview tonight intensifies the range of family-rated entertainment choices as Phuket attracts more visitors than ever before.
Late this month the two-billion-baht Siam Niramit spectacular opens off the bypass road in Phuket City, not far from Aphrodite, the katoey cabaret nightspot that opened opposite Tesco-Lotus earlier this year.
Among other entertainment options remain the best-known two, Simon Cabaret in Patong and FantaSea in Kamala.
One thing the new venues demonstrate is that either a vastly increasing number of families and couples are now coming to Phuket, or sexpats have developed a taste for mainstream fun. We think the former is more likely.
While Ms Russell was too polite to speculate, the arrival of Danze Fantasy clearly moves Soi Bangla in the direction of becoming Soi Blingla rather than Soi Bonkla.
There will be a bar section at the new theatre, however, where patrons may enjoy the show from a stool position for 600 baht. How's that for catering to local habits?
Sales and marketing for the first show at the new theatre are ''coming along nicely,'' says Ms Russell.
A troupe of about 30 international performers will appear on stage tonight as the culmination of weeks of rehearsals.
Headliners include Joe Labero, a master magician from Sweden, and the Chicago's, three young men from Russia who form an acrobatic comedy act.
The Seduction group is among supporters of the venue. Curtain goes up at 7.30pm and 9.30pm on the 80-minute performance, aptly entitled Genesis.
Ticket prices vary from a standard 1500 baht (1300 baht for children) to 3300 baht for a VIP seat with loads of extras.
If families are to become patrons at the theatre, will local authorities continue to tolerate street-level go-go pole dancing? Bangla, meet Blingla.
Tickets are available at the theatre.
Although this maybe targeted at Families, the huge new Tiger Bar girl area next to it, may mean that Bangla still hasn't grown up as about 30 more bars open up. Then opposite you have what used to be Soi Lion, which will no doubt be another 20+ bars.
Posted by Tbs on December 6, 2011 10:04