Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
This all-male troupe performs ballet with a touch of humour and comedy. Of course, it helps that they wear tutus and
toe shoes (you read that right ;D). The whole thing started with a guy (definitely not a native speaker, he had a
funny accent) announcing that there would be changes in the cast of the 'Russian Ballet' we were about to see. The
names were enough to reduce one to helpless laughter. For example, the ballerina set up for Odette was called 'Clumpfoot'.
First part of the performance was "Le lac des cygnes (Swan Lake, 2nd act)" -- 30 minutes of watching a brilliant Odette sob, get
dropped by the Prince (and his assistant -- very small, adorable, but clumsy), and dance. The guy was fantastic, I did
enjoy that walkover he did in the middle of the pas de deux. The Prince was ridiculously funny. He gestured, wearing a
mop of a wig, hopped about, but his great dancing solo he gave over to his assistant (who was great, beautiful pirouettes)
and just came back on for the applause.
The choreography is, I think, mostly the original choreography, and though most of the taller guys don't look exactly
elegant, they really do a fabulous job. The comic element are the 'accidents' they put into the 'serious' dancing; for
example that one of the ballerinas kicked a colleague and made her (actually him) fall over as the swan girls danced.
There was a small break then, and the second part began with "Patterns in Space". It was a modern ballet choreography,
mainly walking about, moving the arms, stretching. It wasn't my thing and as I've never seen anything like it before,
I can't really say if there were funny bits and pieces in it. The rest of the audience was pretty quiet too, no one
knew exactly what was happening on stage. The music was basically composed of various "space" sounds. Some of the
screeching metal and metal ones hurt the ears, most of them had a very unpleasant tone too.
Then they did "Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet", which I'd seen on TV before once. They wore 1930s dresses and had
two guys there as well, one in light blue, one in red. The guy in red was really cute, but he was, as every 'male' dancer,
arrogant, impertinent, and excessively amusing. He threw one of his partners onto the piano that stood in the corner,
one of them he pushed under it. This was one of the funniest parts actually, and it's pretty obvious that huge toe shoes
look absolutely ridiculous, even if they are worn by tall, muscular guys. Lovely wigs and make up ;D.
The last piece was a three-minute "Dying Swan". The ballerina came out, loosing feathers from her tutu and trippling on
tip-toe across the stage, leaving a white trail behind. She finally broke down and died (with much flapping of her arms),
then grinned happily, beginning to cry at the thunderous applause she (he) received.
Another break followed, then another 30 minute ballet, this time "Paquita". The customes were beautiful, actually I liked
those the best. And I also loved the dancing. It was the most 'serious', and in the soli you could see just how good those
guys really are. Their technique is superb. I was stunned by their prowess.
The 'female lead' stood on tip-toe, turning on the spot (well over thirty pirouettes in a row I'm sure) which got her
loads of shouts, whistles, and applause. The guy is one of the best dancers I've ever seen. One thing I thought was
especially cute was that, when dancing with her (his) Prince (this time with a blond mop), she (he) wasn't held properly
as she (he) leaned forward on tip-toe -- she (he) gave a loud, angry shout and braced herself (himself) on her (his)
arms, followed by a deadly look at her (his) partner. I also thought it was very impressing how those thin guys lifted
each other for jumps, or carried each other around on their shoulders. They didn't look that strong, for all that they
were brawny. Their muscles were defined, but they were all fairly slim too.
The applause they received at the end was amazing. Almost as good as the State Opera filled to the brim. And the Ronacher
wasn't even half full, due to the fact that it was a Sunday I presume. As an encore, the cast treated us to a short
"Riverdance" sequence. Not only are they grand ballerinas, their tap dancing is impressive as well.
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.