The Trocks Return, With Parody and Large Toe Shoes

By Emily Quinn
December 21, 2004

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo opens a seven-performance run at New York's Joyce Theater tonight.

The company’s performances run through January 2 and include, in two programs, classic works from the repertory such as Dying Swan, Les Sylphides, Act 2 from Swan Lake, and an excerpt from Petipa’s Humpbacked Horse, along with modern works such as I wanted to dance with you at the Café of Experience.

The company, affectionately known to fans as “the Trocks,” is an all-male ensemble that performs en travesti--in drag--and en pointe. The dancers who make up the company--performing under such punning French and Russian names as Doris Vidanya--come from professional dance companies all over the world.

Les Ballets Trockadero's first performances were in 1974 in an off-off-off Broadway loft run by the West Side Discussion Group, and, despite the spoofing nature of the performance, New Yorker critic Arlene Croce wrote a thoughtful and appreciative critical response that eventually led to more mainstream success. The company has since toured and danced at festivals all over the world.