EN POINTE, EN FOLIE — a standing ovation for tutus, testosterone, and truly fabulous chaos
Photo Credit: José Luis Marrero Medina
“You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you may well leave wanting a pair of blush-pink ballet slippers of your own.”
Last night at Wales Millennium Centre, I had the absolute joy of seeing Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo — affectionately known as The Trocks — and what a triumph it was.
For nearly 50 years, this legendary all-male comedy ballet company has been delighting audiences around the world with their gloriously camp spoofs of classical ballet, and after finally seeing them live, I can confirm: the hype is entirely justified. From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear we were in for something very special — a riotous, lovingly crafted celebration of ballet that manages to parody the art form whilst also honouring it completely.
Photo Credit: José Luis Marrero Medina
And what a premise: tutus and testosterone, blush-pink ballet pumps, fierce false eyelashes, exaggerated prima ballerina drama — every inch of the performance “frivolously froths”, exactly as promised. But what makes The Trocks extraordinary is that beneath all the fabulous silliness lies genuine technical brilliance. These dancers aren’t just funny — they are exceptional. Their technique, daring athleticism, and effortless physicality mean that while you’re laughing at the comic timing (which is impeccable), you’re also quietly in awe of what they’re doing.
That was the real joy of the evening: yes, it was hilarious — properly laugh-out-loud funny — but it was also genuinely beautiful to watch. Every arabesque, every lift, every deliberately overdramatic flutter of the false eyelashes was executed by artists of the highest calibre. They are in on the joke, certainly, but never at the expense of the dancing.
What I loved most was how brilliantly this production opens the doors to ballet for new audiences. It strips away the intimidating formality that can sometimes make classical performance feel inaccessible. Here, you’re meant to laugh. You’re invited in. There’s no anxiety about understanding the “rules” — just pure joy, spectacle, and a reminder that high art can also be deeply entertaining.
And frankly, that melding of classical artistry and comedy feels so refreshing. In a world where traditional arts organisations are constantly trying to work out how to bring in new audiences, The Trocks have been doing it masterfully for decades — by making ballet feel playful, welcoming, and thrillingly alive.
A dazzling, hilarious, technically stunning evening. Whether you’re a lifelong ballet devotee or someone who’s never set foot in a theatre before, go and see Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you may well leave wanting a pair of blush-pink ballet slippers of your own.
