Beefcake ballerinas with points to prove (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Les Ballets Trockaderos prove a hit at the Alhambra

10:40pm Friday 8th April 2011 in Reviews By Emma Clayton

Gliding across the stage on points this evening, they oozed the grace and technical brilliance of world-class ballerinas – from the points of their dainty toes to the chest hair poking out of their lacy tutus.

But while their razor sharp send-up of the melodrama and cliché of ballet had a sell-out audience howling with laughter, these grande dames were far from grotesque clodhoppers.

The ‘Trocks’ are not only highly accomplished dancers, they actually dance better than many a prima ballerina. You have to see a 6ft-something beefcake of a man dancing on points to believe it.

Pirouetting from extraordinary technical strength to slapstick camp, this renowned New York-based all-male company delivered delightfully funny parodies of Swan Lake, Go For Barocco and Raymonda’s Wedding; pushing the boundaries of physical comedy, while retaining traditions of classical ballet.

With the odd flick of a hand, toss of a hairpiece or knowing look, they brought flashes of comedy and diva-ish attitude to po-faced ensembles and the vanity of ballet dancers.

Seething jealousies arose, with delicious little touches like a slight kick to the backside of a fluttering swan or a tendency to hog the limelight during a pas de deux.

The Riverdance-inspired finale was icing on the cake. Exquisite. It ends tomorrow night.