Back by popular demand is the only way of describing Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.
Affectionately known as the Trocks, the all-male spoof troupe filled the Peacock Theatre last March, and just six months later they're back for another sell-out run.
In case you haven't heard, the Trocks are hairy chested blokes who don tutus and tiaras, and dance excerpts from ballet's classics.
Only instead of galumphing about, they're almost as good, and much more committed than many traditional troupes.
They also slyly reveal ballet's absurdities, not least that ballerinas were never fainting flowers, but ambitious little toughies with an eye for rank.
However, the Trocks are spoof, not satire, so all is done with loving enthusiasm. In last night's opener, we laughed out loud at Go for Barocco, a brilliant take on Balanchine's choreography, while Chase Johnsey and Fernando Medina Gallego get extra points for their infecious panache in The Flames of Paris. And whoever thought of Joseph Jefferies' stage name ( Minnie van Driver) deserves a knighthood.
The only small criticism is that the Trocks could, perhaps, broaden their rep. What wouldn't you give to see their subversive magic on MacMillan's Romeo, or Ashton's Fille?
Prog 1: until 23 Sept. Prog 2: 26-30 Sept (0870 737 0337).
Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo: Mixed Programme (Swan Lake - Act II/Mystery Pas De Deux/Pas De Quatre/The Dying Swan/Paquita)
Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT
