I went to the Pleasure Boys wild male strip show that caused outrage in Belfast – the dancers’ acrobatics are good enough for Cirque du Soleil, but women just wanted to see their genitals, says SAMANTHA REA
It was oiled up abs and bouncing bums as male strippers The Pleasure Boys made their mark in Birmingham on the final stop of their XXL tour.
It’s been a week since the erotic dancers caused controversy in Belfast after performing scenes of a highly sexual nature.
Videos spread like wildfire on social media, sparking a mass debate about the extent of the pranks in Belfast. Were the sexual acts simulated or were they real?
And did the real audience storm the stage – or were they chased by sex-crazed strippers?
I watch a video clip on
Pictured: Two women enjoy a private dance from a PleasureBoys performer at the Birmingham show yesterday
Pictured: Femail reporter Samantha Rea went to the PleasureBoys show in Birmingham last night – after the Belfast gig caused a stir online
The debauchery is supported by Chubby Checker, who cheerfully encourages everyone to do the twist. This makes the scene surreal. It’s distasteful, yet strangely comical, like clowns getting their ‘bits’ out.
It was with some trepidation that I arrived at the King of Clubs nightclub in the center of Birmingham on Saturday evening to see the Pleasure Boys in action.
I know I’m in the right place because a few women, dressed to go out, are queuing outside.
Only, the show was supposed to start at 7pm, but it already starts at half past one and the shutters on the doors are still closed.
“Did you hear what happened in Belfast last week?” I talk to two women in line, who start their evening with cans of pre-mixed cocktails.
They replied, ‘Oh yes, it always is!’
Despite the raised eyebrows in Belfast, these women seem quite happy and they tell me they have seen the Pleasure Boys twice before. The antics in Northern Ireland were not a one-off.
There are ten of us outside, and as there is no sign of opening on the shutters, a discussion ensues as to whether we are meant to enter through a back entrance through an Indian restaurant around the corner.
In the photo: two enthusiastic spectators who saw their hands moving over the body of a naked dancer last night
Another audience member enjoyed a private one-on-one lap dance from one of the PleasureBoys
Eventually, little by little, we do indeed find a way in, around the corner, via a kind of café that leads to the club.
At the bar I order a large glass of rosé. A woman who buys a bottle of something that warrants an ice bucket says to me: ‘Dutch courage! They’ll get you on stage!’
I say, ‘I hope not! If they do, drag me back!’ She laughs as she tells me, “That’s what they all say!”
Later I see her in a group with White Dee at Benefit Street and Celebrity Big Brother. I’m not too shy to ask for a selfie and White Dee gives me a lovely kiss on the cheek.
One of the first acts is a man doing something with fire and gymnastics. It’s pretty impressive and he could probably be in Cirque du Soleil.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the audience for it, and a woman sitting next to me makes this clear to him by shouting, ‘Get your c*** out! We paid for that!’
The organizer of the wild male strip show that caused a stir in Belfast after fully naked dancers simulated raunchy acts with attendees (pictured) has said mobile phones will now be banned on future tour dates
There are some rather striking sailor outfits reminiscent of Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman, and at times the choreography is creaky.
At other times, when they’re struggling to get their pants down over their ankles, it’s like watching a tired character on Crossroads get ready for bed.
The strippers cover their torsos and genitals with lube and the scenes are obscene.
This PleasureBoys dancer spins around on an audience member on the floor of the venue in Birmingham
Femail reporter Samantha Rea posed for a photo on the PleasureBoys throne after the performance ended
Indeed, the antics mirror those I saw in video clips from last week’s show in Belfast.
There’s plenty of close-up crotch action, and reality star White Dee is one of the women who plays enough to get on the floor to get close to the Pleasure Boys.
Maybe I’m clutching my pearls unnecessarily, but only a hazmat suit and an astronaut helmet could ease my fear of coming into contact with their genitals.
I spend the night thinking about screaming, “I HAVE ALLERGIES!!!” in case one of the boys gets too close.
Pictured: The PleasureBoys performers dressed as sailors during their show in Birmingham
At the end of the night, while having my picture taken on the photo opp throne, I get photobombed by stripper Cane, who I talk to before I leave.
He tells me it’s a shame that people are judging the Pleasure Boys based on the social media clips, explaining that he wishes there was more context because The Boys isn’t just about birthday party sex simulation.
Cane, a former Dreamboy who works construction during the week, points out that the Pleasure Boys have great costumes and choreography, and that they put a lot of effort into their routines.
He tells me he would be reluctant to tour Ireland again, blaming religion for the outrage. He seems like a nice guy, and I have to respect the pride he has in his work.
I’ve always struggled to understand the concept of male strippers. After my first experience I can’t say I’ve changed my mind.
However, it was actually a great atmosphere and I loved the female camaraderie.
The women around me had a fantastic time and I’m happy to say that was contagious – so I had a great time too.