If imitation is the highest form of flattery, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is the finest tribute to classical ballet you are ever likely to see.
Despite being an entirely male company, their interpretations of much-loved classics such as Swan Lake and Les Sylphides remain graceful and technically precise while incorporating a healthy dose of humour.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or the Trocks as they are affectionately known, have built up a loyal following over their 35 years as a company and are celebrating their anniversary with an Australian tour.
Dancer, Davide Marongiu was himself a fan of the Trocks before joining the troupe in 2005.
‘I was a huge fan, because I got my first knowledge of ballet through the Russian classics,’ Marongiu explained down the phone from his hotel in Sydney.
‘Of course I grew up watching Swan Lake and The Nutcracker- all of those big, bold, showy productions from Moscow and Saint Petersburg and nobody dances them any more, not in the same grand way that they used to.
‘The Russians really are the only ones still doing it. I find they have a way of dancing and performing these things in a very grand manner, and I would say that our (show) is really a tribute to that.’
It is that respect and reverence for the ballets they lampoon that makes the Trocks more than a comedy act.
‘Never ever in the four years I’ve danced for the company has there been a moment in which I felt like I was making fun of ballet,’ said Marongiu. ‘It’s a complete tribute.’
The hairy chests and obvious physical comedy of the average Trocks show are deceptively frivolous as it takes an enormous amount of skill for men to dance en pointe and make sometimes ungainly movements look natural.
While all Trocks dancers are highly skilled and professionally trained, Marongiu says the aptitude for physical comedy is something that can’t be taught.
‘When you audition for the company, you usually know that the comedy part is very important,’ he said.
‘So if you do go to the company it’s because you have the spirit in you, together with the passion for dancing en pointe. You really have to have that spirit, because as a male dancer you don’t get formal training for those things.’
‘For me it’s very natural. It’s very personal and very individual and that’s why we have so many different characters, because it will make it so various.’
Each member of the Trocks has their own individual character complete witty pseudonym. Trocks ballerinas include Ida Nevasayneva, Lariska Dumbchenko, Helen Highwaters and Marongiu’s alter ego, Giuseppina Zambellini.
‘We usually get given our names, like being baptised,’ explained Marongiu.
‘And my name is actually an Italian name, so I thought that was really nice to have an Italian ballerina alter ego.’
Being his first ever visit to Australia, Marongiu says he is excited about the impending summer as it reminds him of his native Sardinia in Italy. He is also looking forward to experiencing the homeland of one of his fellow dancers and friends, Christopher Lam, the first and only Australian in the company.
‘He has a beautiful, huge career behind him and I love to listen to his stories about the Australian ballet and other things,’ said Marongiu.
With such an extensive tour schedule, the Trocks spend a great deal of time together and luckily get along well… most of the time.
‘It’s this magical link that we all have and that really keeps us together even though we have very different personalities.’
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo will be appearing at His Majesty’s Theatre from November 18-22. Tickets are available through BOCS www.bocsticketing.com.au
Amy Henderson
