Men on pointe

       Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlois set to entertain Bangkok audiences with a classical laugh-fest ballet performance
       There's something about men "en pointe" that tickles the funny bone and no one gets the point better than this very unusual all-male company that specialises in the comic aspect of classical ballet.One look at the male dancers dressed up to the nines as ballerinas and you'll begin to get the idea. At the heart of the performances by Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, New York, lies a ballet company upholding the traditions of classical ballet. But they have chosen to add another dimension to the classics by finding comedy where you'd think none existed. Something that will not only appeal to adults but also children.
       The dancers portray both male and female roles as they blend cliches of ballet and physical comedy with straight off classical pieces.Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts, the company, fondly referred to as "The Trocks",first performed in Off-Broadway lofts. A year later they were noticed by critics in the most positive of terms. By the '80s they were established as a ballet company and have performed in the US, in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South America, South Africa and Europe. The Trocks have two separate programmes in store for Bangkok:Swan Lake Act II ,Pas De Deux ,Vivaldi Suite ,Dying Swan and Majisimas on October 16, and Swan Lake Act II ,Patterns In Space ,Pas De Quatre ,Dying Swan and Majisimas on October 17.
       Tory Dobrin, the artistic director of The Trocks explains,"Basically we are very good ballet dancers and good comedians. We combine the two using drag as a vehicle to bring out the comedy.People who know The Trocks come because they want to have fun with ballet."
       He adds,"We take classical and modern ballets and change them to create an entertaining aspect of these art forms.All kinds of humour, from subtle parody to outright slapstick. In a way we are just borrowing from existing tradition ... there are many great theatre art forms that have used drag as a vehicle, including Shakespeare and kabuki ... and comedy has been around since the earliest times of life.
       Explaining their creative process Dobrin says,"We stage a ballet like any other ballet company does in the early stages. After the work is completely choreographed, we start to improvise in the studio to see how it develops in a comedic way. Slowly we change the ballet to bring out the comedy. A choreography that truly reflects our philosophy is Swan Lake Act II , which will be performed in Bangkok. It has all the elements of great choreography, the chance to develop a character in a comedic fashion, it has drama!" What else can one ask for, except that with The Trocks, there is always more in store than you expect.
       Asked about what influences The Trocks, Dobrin says,"Mostly the Russian ballet stars of yesteryears such as Alla Sizova, Irina Kolpakova, Lubov Kunakova and Maya Plisetskaya. The 19th century music works best for The Trocks, although we have a large modern wing to our repertory. Also, comedians such as Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur, Gracie Allen and Dame Edna. I would say that we as a company are inspired by fun-loving,nice, energetic people and we are motivated by people's enjoyment of what we do."
       And how do they deal with purists,Dobrin is dismissive,"We don't deal with purists. We deal with people who are interested in the show. Only a very narrow-minded person is unable to enjoy the show. Clement Crisp, who is perhaps the most famous dance critic in the world and who is the ultimate purist, loves the company."
       One thing is for sure The Trocks are the perfect introduction to ballet, not just for the children but the adults as well. If you have avoided ballet before,make sure you see The Trocks. Explains Dobrin,"I would have to say that an allmale comedy ballet company is something that would appeal to just about everyone. So, yes, you could say that we make ballet more universal rather than elitist."
       Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music is sponsored by Bangkok Bank, B. Grimm, Bangkok Post, Dusit Thani Hotel, King Power Group, SCG,Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Toyota Motor Thailand Co, Ltd.
       Performances are at Thailand Cultural Centre on October 16 and 17 at 7:30pm. Tickets are 600,1,200,1,600,2,000 and 2,500 baht,available at Thai Ticket Major on 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.