Les Ballet des Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Newcastle Theatre Royal | 26th May 2026
Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe
I had not seen a production by Les Ballet des Trockadero de Monte Carlo before and having been invited to review the show at the Theatre Royal I deliberately avoided watching video clips online and spoiling the experience. I have to say that I am very pleased that I did. Despite seeing some of the cast at stage door prior to the performance, I genuinely had no idea what was in store aside from the occasional knowing looks from the initiated and assurances that it would be “… right up my street.”
How right they were! This production is innovative, skilfully presented, and above all hilarious. There may be a temptation to think that these heavily made up gender ambivalent performers make a mockery of an art form often reserved for the snooty but make no mistake about it, the entire cast are highly skilled, passionate proponents of their craft and they present it in such a way that it becomes accessible equally to the most ardent supporter, the casual observer, and to people who have never set eyes on a tutu in their life.
Ballet (and opera for that matter) have made headlines recently because of an unwise, and frankly ludicrous statement from Timothee Chalamet who suggested that they were “… dying art forms” that “… no one cares about…” I suggest that the otherwise talented Wonka star attends a performance of Les Ballet Des Trockadero post haste – he will soon change his opinions.
Performing to mostly well known music, the troupe give energetic performances that shows their deep understanding of all aspects of ballet, while poking general fun at some of the more absurd aspects and ludicrous storylines. This begins at the very start with a very humorous pre-show announcement suggesting that some divas are absent for a variety of reasons like principal ballerina Mme Notgoodinov. This really set the tone for the evening as the entire company flitted and pranced across the stage – regularly interrupting some exquisite balletic moves with vocal insertions, delightfully deliberate faux-pas, and occasional intentional wardrobe malfunctions.
Now in their 50th year, ‘The Trocks’ have delighted and enthralled audiences and it is not difficult to see why. Their performances of routines based on instantly recognisable classics such as Swan Lake by Piotr Tchaikovsky and The Dying Swan by Camille Saint-Saens are real crowd pleasers. Their programme also includes a number of less well known pieces like Paquita by Ludwig Minkus and Valpurgeyeva Noch by Charles Grounod which were equally as entertaining.
I think the greatest compliment I can pay to Les Ballets des Tockaderos de Monte Carlo is to suggest that this company is to ballet what Mischief Theatre (The Play that Goes Wrong) is to community theatre. On watching this production my mind reminded me of some Great British comedy classic sketches involving among others The Two Ronnies, French and Saunders, Victoria Wood, and Rowan Atkinson and in an age of people thinking and repeating ad nauseam “… they don’t do comedy like they used to…” I suggest that they certainly well do and Les Ballet des Trockadero de Monte Carlo are probably the most proficient, technically adept, and skilful agents of mirth I have seen in recent times.
Sadly, “The Trocks’” time in Newcastle is nearly up with only one more day in the region. The UK tour continues apace, however, with the company heading to Bradford next then they’re visiting Norwich, Edinburgh, Aberdeen among others before concluding at Buxton Opera House.
There is something for absolutely everyone in this 50thAnniversary production from Les Ballets des Trockadero de Monte Carlo from delightful make up, wonderful costumes, elegant and not-so elegant set-pieces, to comedy galore but I think my over-riding memory of this superb evening at the theatre will be the company’s sheer joie-de-vivre in bringing their love and passion for dance and movement. Congratulations on your anniversary – long may you continue to delight, entertain, and engage. I know I will never look at a swan or a faun in the same way again!