LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO

Eugene McDougle General Director
Tory Dobrin Artistic Director
Isabel Martinez Rivera Associate Director

[2 hours]

at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland
27 Oct 2012

St James Theatre, Wellington
30 Oct 2012

Reviewed by: Jack Gray; Sam Trubridge;

Auckland and Wellington | October 2012

“a perfectly balanced combination of genuinely accomplished dancing and wonderfully timed comic cock-ups”. Daily Telegraph (2011)

“They tore up the stage”. New York Times (2009)

The 15-member Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo,known affectionately as “The Trocks” return to New Zealand for two performances only in Auckland and Wellington.

It's been seven years since The Trocks performed for Wellington audiences, and 10 years since they were on an Auckland stage, but as they have done for 34 years, The Trocks continue to “Keep on Trockin'”.

The Trocks perform one Auckland show only on Saturday 27 October at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE and one Wellington show only on Tuesday 30 October at St James Theatre.

The Trocks combine the physical capabilities of male dancers with the grace and grandeur of ballerinas with an added layer of expert clowning, and you have a company of dancers that lovingly lampoon the conventions of classical ballet.

The Trocks deliver delicious entertainment for everyone. Long-time converts and first time fans will marvel at the comic timing, sheer athletic ability and skills that rival any prima ballerina.

“The Trocks aren't simply a bunch of guys with pins to burst the ballet bubble. They are also serious dancers, both on and off pointe, and underlying the pratfalls and the high strung histrionics, are respect and affection for their art.”The Guardian, UK

“The funniest night you will ever have at the theatre” Sunday Times UK

“It is a masterclass in crossgender illusion and laughter dies in the throat as it is evident that these boys can not only really dance, they can really dance like girls” Daily Express UK

“Camp and corny slapstick abounds, as heavy-footed cygnets fall over themselves...but on top of the basic comedy are layers of more sophisticated ballet jokes. Not only do the Trocks know ballet history, they are junkies for its aesthetic” The Guardian, UK

Dancing a fine line between high art and high camp and always with a wicked sense of fun and mastery of technique, these darlings of the ballet world will appeal to dance aficionados and complete novices alike.

Founded in New York City in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts who wanted to present a playful, entertaining view of classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts. Since those beginnings, The Trocks have established themselves as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world, appearing in major arts festivals and on countless television programmes.

The Trocks perform at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE, Auckland on Saturday 27 October with tickets available by calling 0800 BUY TICKETS (289 842) or www.buytickets.co.nz; and at St James Theatre, Wellington on Tuesday 30 October with tickets available from Ticketek on 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz For more information visit www.akaaustralia.com.au or www.trockadero.org.au

Olga Supphozova and Yuri Smirnov........................................Robert Carter

Natalie Kleptopovska and Nicholas Khachafallenjar..................Loic Consalvo
Sonia Leftova and Andrei Leftov................................................Boysie Dikobe
Marina Plezegetovstageskaya and Vladimir Legupski.............Roberto Forl eo
Ida Nevasayneva and Velour Pilleaux........................................Paul Ghiselin
Alla Snizova and Innokenti Smoktumuchsky............Carl os Caball ero Hopuy
Yakatarina Verbosovich and Roland Deaulin............................Chase Johnsey
Giuseppina Zambellini and Ivan Legupski............................Davide Marongiu
Nadia Doumiafeyva and Kravlji Snepek.........................Philip Martin-Nielson
Minnie van Driver and Mischa Youloustski............................Trystan Merr ick
Maya Thickenthighya and Mikhail Mypansarov.......................Carl os Mill er
Lariska Dumbchenko and Pepe Dufka..................................Raff aele Morr a
Eugenia Repelskii and Jacques d'Aniels ........................Lawrence Neuhauser
Nina Immobilashvili and Stanislas Kokitch.............................Alberto Pretto
Irina Kolesterolikova and Marat Legupski...............................Giovanni Ravelo
Maria Paranova and Boris Nowitsky........................................Carl os Renedo

General Director................................................................Eugene McDougl e
Artistic Director..........................................................................Tory Dobrin
Associate Director / Production Manager.....................Isabel Martinez Rivera
Ballet Masters.......................................................Paul Ghiselin, Iliana Lopez
Associate Ballet Master........................................................Raff aele Morr a
Lighting Supervisor..........................................................Emily McGuillc udd y
Wardrobe Supervisor.............................................................Jeff Sturd ivant
Associate Production Manager.............................................Barbara Domue
Special Projects / Development.....................................Emily Rybinski-Benish
Costume Designer.................................................................Kenneth Busbin
Costume Designer (emeritus)..................................................Mike Gonzales
Company Archivist (emeritus)............................................Anne Dore Davids
Stylistic Guru ..........................................................................Marius Petipa