I was recently reminded of this ballet company when I posted a snippet from Christohper Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is one of the best-known and most unique ballet companies in the world. Comprised entirely of men, the company is known for its send-ups of the conventions and clichés of classical ballet. While their parodies are fantastically funny, their performances wouldn’t be nearly as effective and memorable were it not for the dancers’ phenomenal skill and beauty. There’s just something extra fantastic about a man in drag dancing en pointe.
“The Trocs demonstrate that great dance is not about kinesiological categorizations of male and female but about showing us, with both gentle humor and serious art, exactly what the body can do, often to the amazement of anyone who knows how to appreciate this truly world-class company.” -Stephan Bonfield, Calgary Herald
Before I show you the corps, I want you to watch my favorite of their pieces, the Dying Swan from Tschaikovsky’s Swan Lake, as danced by my favorite of the company’s (now retired) dancers, Paul Ghiselin, A.K.A. Ida Nevasayneva.
And if you want to treat yourself to an hour and forty three minutes of pure joy, here’s their full-length Bravo special. Enjoy!
April 3, 2017 at 7:15 am
Evil! I’ve just spent two hours watching these amazing guys! Thank you, it think. 😀
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April 3, 2017 at 7:23 am
Sorry/definitely not sorry. They’re fantastic!
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April 3, 2017 at 8:01 pm
-giggles- Yes, they really are. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you. 🙂
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April 3, 2017 at 8:48 am
Another one that I want to give a ten to. THANKS = Hal
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April 3, 2017 at 9:15 am
Thank you! They really are a delight!
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April 3, 2017 at 11:05 am
As a straight woman, I wish there were more opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the male body! 😉
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April 3, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Maybe you just need to make your own opportunities…
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April 3, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Well I already watch football, and everyone already thinks I’m a little odd for enjoying ballet … not sure what other opportunities there are!
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April 3, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Well, I can tell you the Fire Island Pines in the summer is pretty much full of beautiful boys. Sure, it would be strictly a spectator sport, but still entertaining!
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April 3, 2017 at 11:40 am
What fun. I’d love to see them live.
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April 3, 2017 at 12:11 pm
I haven’t had the good fortune to see them live yet myself, but I know people who have, and they say it’s magnificent!
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April 3, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Fabulous stuff! I hope this inspires more young men to take up dance. I have known two young men who were ballet dancers and both were the only boys in their ballet classes growing up.
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April 3, 2017 at 2:23 pm
American boys rarely grow up to be ballet dancers, but the non-English-speaking European countries still seems to turn them out with pretty good regularity.
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April 3, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Yes, the continental Europeans seem to contribute most male ballet dancers, based on my limited knowledge. The two I knew were in a flyover US state and a small, rural community in Scotland. Totally different contexts from growing up in Moscow or Paris.
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April 3, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Very true. I’ve known ballet dancers, both male and female, and they’re some of the most committed, astounding athletes I’ve ever known. It’s a shame our culture doesn’t give them their proper respect.
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April 3, 2017 at 2:57 pm
You’re correct Donna the videos are giggling funny as well as astoundingly beautiful. THANX for another peek at something new to me. ~~dru~~
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April 3, 2017 at 4:18 pm
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Dru!
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April 4, 2017 at 10:47 am
Thank you, thank you! The Trocs are one of my all-time favorites!
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April 4, 2017 at 11:09 am
I’m a bit obsessed. They just never seem to be performing in NY when I have time to go!
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April 6, 2017 at 7:18 am
I have known two young men who were ballet dancers and both were the only boys in their ballet classes growing up. —
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April 6, 2017 at 7:55 am
It’s a real shame. Men make such beautiful dancers.
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January 20, 2018 at 11:09 am
You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really one thing that I think I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely vast for me. I’m looking ahead on your next publish, I’ll try to get the cling of it!
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January 20, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Thank you, Alex! Welcome!
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January 20, 2018 at 7:08 pm
I am now not positive where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time learning more or working out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
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January 20, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Good luck!
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