|
Drag queen extravaganza puts bums in seats
By Ryann Connell
September 9, 2004
Enormously successful cross-dresser concerts held at three-star hotels in
country areas across Japan is proving that entertainment in the sticks doesn't
necessarily have to be a, well, drag, according to Shukan Shincho.
This month, the New Half Dramatic Revue will celebrate its second anniversary
at the Keisei Hotel Miramare in sleepy Chiba.
In Japanese, New Half is the term used to describe post-operation transsexuals
and the show these she-males are putting on at the Miramare also includes guest
appearances from some of the top transsexual performers in Tokyo.
Even with tickets costing a hefty 12,500 yen (which does include drinks, mind
you), shows at the 280-seat hotel concert hall are sold out a month in advance.
"I first saw the transsexual shows at another hotel. They have singing, dancing
and talking sections. The talking section is really effective in bringing the
audience close to performers, so it makes the show really enjoyable," one of
the organizers from the Keisei Hotel Miramare tells Shukan Shincho. "Did we
have any opposition within the company to hosting these people? Absolutely none
at all. If we think our customers will be happy, we may even do more of these
shows."
Surprisingly, cross dressing, cross sexual shows are already a steady tourist
attraction in the capital. Hato, a company almost synonymous in Japan with bus
tours, arranges several different trips that center around a dinner at the posh
Hotel New Otani followed by a transsexual show later on in the night, each of
which has proved to be an enormously successful money spinner for the travel
company.
New Half performers have certainly made themselves welcome at the Keisei Hotel
Miramare.
"They've been putting on the show all over the country since about 1999. At
first, people would go to see it for the shock value, but now it seems like
most people come to watch because they want to see some good entertainment,"
the hotel events planner tells Shukan Shincho. "The transsexuals have put on
this show at cheap hotels, resort hotels, inns and public halls all across the
country from Hokkaido to Okinawa."
Copyright 1999-2004, Mainchi Daily. All rights reserved. Ryann
Connell is a Staff Writer and Senoir Desk Editor for the Mainchi Daily News. No
content may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.
Please contact us via the link below for re-print and syndication policies.
|
|
 |
