A GENDER row has hit the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth over a two-day visit by the all-male Thai cabaret show - the Lady Boys of Bangkok - later this month.

A GENDER row has hit the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth over a two-day visit by the all-male Thai cabaret show - the Lady Boys of Bangkok - later this month.

Female staff have threatened to walk-out of the historic building unless they are allowed to wear identification that they are NOT Lady Boys.

Guaranteeing: “You'll never look at the opposite sex the same way again” the Lady Boys of Bangkok cabaret - performed by 16 of the world's most beautiful showgirls (who just happen to be men!) - is coming to the Hippodrome on May 27 and 28.

With its blend of fun and music the show glides from disco floor to the Broadway musical stage and features tributes to Katy Perry, Whitney Houston, Girls Aloud and Kylie Minogue.

Ruth Patterson, who has worked at the Hippodrome for the past five years said she had heard when the show opened at Brighton a number of the women staff were asked if they were “real” women.

She said: “Because it is a cabaret being performed in a real party atmosphere, some people just get carried away with the whole thing. I certainly don't want people in Great Yarmouth asking me if I'm a Lady Boy! Although I am jealous of their fabulous figures.”

The female staff threatened to walk out after the management refused to allow them to wear T-shirts bearing the slogan “I am NOT a Lady Boy,” saying it was contrary to the Hippodrome's staff dress-code.

The Hippodrome's owner, Peter Jay, said there had never been an incident like this in the circus building's 106 year history.

The staff will now be offered badges bearing the phrase “I am 100% woman”.

Tickets are now on sale priced at �20 and �18. Book online at www.hippodromecircus.co.uk or call the box office on 01493 844172.

Pictured are Ruth Patterson (left) and Zo� Fausto showing their 100pc woman badges.