While wandering Koh Tao we were handed a flyer for the Queen’s Cabaret. This is the local drag queen show. We were interested, but were unsure if it would be worth seeing. Our friend who lives on the island assured us that it was good, and was actually excited to take us to see it.

We managed to get ourselves some seats when we arrived at the show. Of course, before we took our seats we needed to get a drink. They are very generous with the drinks. They want to make sure people are drunk for the show.

The show was a spectacle. Dancing, bright costumes, lip-synced performances, it was extremely entertaining to watch. It was more than just a show, however. It was about the freedom of expression, of accepting who people are.

That doesn’t mean it didn’t involve copious amounts of drinking. The performers make extra money from tips, and inebriation helps encourage people to be generous. I found out that the owner of the club, a performer herself, distributes her tips to the others which I though was decent of her.

In one part of the show, they like to drag (heh) a few men from the crowd and dress them up. Unfortunately I missed the chance to cross dress again, but it was fun to see a group of drunk men in wigs figure out how to dance.

In the end I enjoyed the show a lot more than I expected. I came out with a lighter wallet, but drunk and happy as we went on to the next club to dance ourselves to sleep.