Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Returns to the UK in 2011

The legendary Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo returns to the UK in 2011 with a new programme of Go for Barocco, Raymonda's Wedding, a pas de deux (to be announced) and the company's signature piece, Swan Lake Act II. The tour, presented by Dance Consortium, begins on Tuesday 8 March and runs until Saturday 16 April, with a national press night at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Friday 11 March.

Affectionately known as The Trocks, the company's 16 professional male dancers faithfully bring to life some of the greatest moments of classical ballet, displaying startling technique. Treading a fine line between high art and high camp, it is a fusion that celebrates both the beauty and the essential absurdity of classical ballet. The dancers perform en pointe in glittering tutus, combining a loving knowledge of dance with a wicked sense of fun.

Winners of the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards and the TMA Theatre Award, The Trocks' combination of pure comedy, extraordinary technical prowess and genuine love of ballet have made them a global phenomenon since they formed in New York in 1974. Under the artistic direction of Tory Dobrin, the company has performed in over 30 countries and in over 500 cities around the world - their frenzied annual schedule has included seven tours to Australia and New Zealand, 26 to Japan, ten to South America, three tours to South Africa, and 64 tours of Europe. In the United States, the company has become a regular part of the college and university circuit, in addition to regular dance presentations in cities in 49 states.

The original concept of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo has not changed. It is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works, in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles. The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The fact that men dance all the parts - heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, angst-ridden Victorian ladies - enhances rather than mocks the spirit of dance as an art form, delighting and amusing dance aficionados and novices alike. The Trocks' original purpose was and continues to be to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo's UK tour is organised by Dance Consortium. Its UK tours are supported by Arts Council England. For further information please visit www.danceconsortium.com.

2011 UK Tour Schedule
8-9 March Kings Theatre, Glasgow 0844 871 7648
11-12 March New Wimbledon Theatre 0844 871 7646
15-16 March Brighton Dome 01273 709709
18-19 March Nottingham Royal Centre 0115 989 5555
22-23 March Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7652
25-26 March Wycombe Swan 01494 512 000
30 March - 2 April Birmingham Hippodrome 0844 338 5000
5-6 April Sheffield Lyceum 0114 249 6000
8-9 April Bradford Alhambra 01274 432 000
12-13 April Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000
15-16 April Salford Lowry 0843 208 6000

TORY DOBRIN, Artistic Director
Tory Dobrin was born in California where he began his dance training. He attended Harkness Ballet School in New York City and has worked with Dallas Ballet, Radio City Music Hall and the American Dance Machine before joining the Trocks as a dancer in 1980. He became Artistic Director of the Trocks 18 years ago.

Dance Consortium is a group of 19 large theatres located across the UK. They all share a passion for engaging people with contemporary dance from different parts of the world that will excite, challenge, entertain and inspire their audiences.

Dance Consortium was established in 2000, when there were few opportunities to see international dance companies outside London and occasional festivals. Over the last 10 years, Dance Consortium has presented 25 tours of 17 different companies from the USA, Brazil, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, Taiwan, Cuba and France. Their performances and education activities have been seen by over 465,000 people.

Dance Consortium performances are often followed by a chance for audiences to ask questions of the company and occasionally companies offer special events such as dance classes or workshops. Details of forthcoming tours are on Dance Consortium's website together with film clips, interviews, photographs, dancers' blogs, press reviews and audience comments. The website has a host of features including votes, dance debates, listings, and an archive of past tours: www.danceconsortium.com.

Dance Consortium is managed by its member theatres, represented by their chief executives. Together they decide which companies to tour, looking all over the world for companies that will celebrate the diversity of international contemporary dance and intrigue audiences.

Members
Belfast Grand Opera House, Birmingham Hippodrome, Bradford Alhambra, Brighton Dome, Canterbury The Marlowe Theatre (opening in autumn 2011), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Glasgow Theatre Royal, High Wycombe Swan, London Sadler's Wells, Milton Keynes Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Northampton Royal & Derngate, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Salford Lowry, Sheffield Danceworks UK, Sheffield Lyceum, Truro Hall for Cornwall, Woking New Victoria Theatre.
2010/2011 Members
Pavilion Dance / Pavilion Theatre.

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