The Most Popular Live Show In Town
The workers
The following was translated from an exclusive article in The Sun.
Whereas there is a very publicly visible issue with the continued unlicensed operation of the UA cinema located at Langham Place, there is another unlicensed operation that has been going on elsewhere quietly. Located at Wah Fu Estate on the west side of Hong Kong island, the Fragrant River Theater appeared to have shuttered its doors due to repeated complaints from the Environment & Food Bureau for operating without a license. But actually, the theater is accommodating mainland Chinese tourists to watch the one and only Thai transsexual live show in Hong Kong. On the day before yesterday, officers from the Environment & Food Bureau had gone to the place for the third time and issued complaints. But last night, the Fragrant River Theater was back in business again. The Environment & Food Bureau will be seeking a court injunction.
Wah Fu Estate is one of the oldest public housing estates on Hong Kong island. In recent months, it has been a popular destination due to the transsexuals. Every evening, one after another tourist bus carrying mainland tourists would come to the Fragrant River Theater. The tourists get off the bus and follow the directions to follow the back alley and then enter through a side door. Security guards check the tour group badges of each and every tourist to make sure that no intruders sneak in. The tense atmosphere outside is in distinct contrast with the excitement of the audience inside.
More than 20 transsexuals have come from Thailand. They are tall and have been trained in performances. The show lasts more than one hour, including bikini shows, low-cut evening gowns, dancing, singing and comedy acts. The bikini section draws the best reaction, with yells and whistles from the audience. The Thai performers are experienced troupers who know how to lip-sync to Chinese songs and they would go downstage to mingle with the audience, such as sitting down on the laps of the male audience members.
The Fragrant River Theater was converted from a movie cinema. At the end of last year, a local entertainment company brought in the transsexuals from Thailand to perform to mainland Chinese tourists. There are two shows per night, with a day show sometimes when the demand is high. Each show attracts about a hundred people, paying HK$150 per person. It is estimated that they make several hundred thousand per month in admission receipts.
According to a local tour guide, the night time program for mainland Chinese tourists used to be the harbor cruise trip. Ever since the transsexual show became available, the reaction from the audience has been terrific and the show has become the popular choice for certain local tour groups.
Although the transsexual show has been popular, the Fragrant River Theater still has not received a license from the Environment & Food Bureau to provide public entertainment. A Environment & Food Bureau spokesperson said t that the department had issued citations in December last year and January this year. On February 16, the department inspected the facility again and found no sign of operation. On February 18, the department visited the location again and found a stage performance was going on, at which point a citation was issued immediately. According to the law, the maximum penalty for unlicensed operation of a public entertainment facility is six months in jail and a fine of HK$25,000. But our reporter saw many mainland tourist entering again last night.
With respect to the West Kowloon Cultural District project, there was considerable debate whether cultural projects will have sufficient returns on investment due to the perceived low interest in 'culture.' I recall that someone made a proposal that the surefire 'cultural' project that will guarantee mass audiences are live sex shows like they do in Thailand. The Fragrant River Theater show is empirical proof of the consumer demand. So is this all about money? Or are there things that people just won't accept?