Review: LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO at Sadler’s Wells

Stuart King 6 May, 2026, 09:15

I cannot remember exactly the first time I was introduced to the crazy madness of The Trocks as they are affectionately known to dance buffs. It must have been in the early to mid-1990s. Whenever it was, the troupe of all male, classically trained, comedically irreverent dancers, certainly made an impression.

>The Trocks Swan Lake, photo by Vito Lorusso The Trocks Swan Lake, photo by Vito Lorusso.

Now, more than 50 years since they were founded in New York City, the company which has appeared at nearly 700 cities in over 40 countries worldwide, returns to London where they first wowed audiences and won a Best Classical Repertoire award for the technique and artistry which underpins their signature style of goofing, spoofing and sinewy sassiness.

Classical choreography designed around a female body and her point of balance when performed by men, is not just funny because of the bigger feet, the broader chests and the extra height. The entire science of turns, weight alignment for lifts and leaps, takes on a dimension all its own. Even before biceps (and the occasional hairy chest) loom into view, it is the thigh muscles and especially the calves of a man’s leg — which despite an often elegant extension, are unmistakable during the show’s considerable pointe work.

Here, all those graceful lines and elegant gestures of classical ballet are turned into comedic features, so that positioning a slightly built diminutive guy next to another company member, where the height disparity may be as much as 10 inches, is inherently hilarious when they are both clad in tutus, trying to look elegant while executing the same dance moves where uniformity of arms, legs and posture are considered the golden aesthetic.

Aside from the extraordinary pointe work achieved by every member of the troupe, they also manage an excess of fine entrechat. The tombé coupé jeté may not reach the heady heights of Baryshnikov in his heyday, but every wobbling arabesque and slightly under par manoeuvre affords each company member opportunities to reveal their playful characters and personalities, to the delight of the audience often while wearing wigs which range from rat infestation to golden haired Troy Donoghue beach god. It’s visually hilariously and a huge antidote to the steady stream of doom and gloom broadcast to us seemingly on an hourly basis. I urge you to buy a ticket.

The Trocks’ programme of excerpts from Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Metal Garden and Paquita are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Continues a limited run at Sadler’s Wells followed by further UK touring.

More information at https://danceconsortium.com/touring/les-ballets-trockadero-de-monte-carlo-2026/