{"id":117874,"date":"2025-09-25T13:26:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T17:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=117874"},"modified":"2025-09-25T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:00:02","slug":"interview-artistic-director-tory-dobrin-return-les-ballets-trockadero-de-monte-carlo-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/09\/25\/interview-artistic-director-tory-dobrin-return-les-ballets-trockadero-de-monte-carlo-toronto\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Artistic Director Tory Dobrin On The Return Of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo To Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_117876\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117876\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-117876\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-31.jpg\" alt=\"Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Zoran Jelenic)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-31.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-31-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-31-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-31-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-117876\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Zoran Jelenic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo \u2014 aka The Trocks \u2014 are making a return to Toronto to celebrate their 50th Anniversary on October 18 and 19. The all-male ballet company has been entertaining audiences with its combination of humour and genre-defying dance since 1974.<\/p>\n<p>While the show includes the parodies of classical ballets The Trocks have become famous for, including Swan Lake and The Dying Swan scene, the show will also feature the Toronto premiere of the contemporary work Metal Garden. The three shows are presented by Show One Productions.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the first time the company has visited Toronto since their sold out 2020 performance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TRqUg3NVYo0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo<\/h2>\n<p>Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was founded in 1974 by a group of ballet lovers in New York City. They were looking to present the art form in a playful and entertaining way, using parody and men in all performing roles \u2014 including the en pointe roles usually danced by women.<\/p>\n<p>Larry Ree\u2019s Gloxinia Trockadero Ballet company was already doing cross-dressing dance, specifically to parody the aesthetics of Russian ballet. However, their performances largely involved posed vignettes as opposed to dance choreography. Peter Anastos, Anthony Bassae, and Natch Taylor splintered away from Gloxinia to form Les Ballets Trockadero in order to create a similar company, but one with a focus on dance and choreography.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019ve since appeared in 43 countries and more than 660 cities across the globe.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the key to The Trock\u2019s appeal. There\u2019s humour in exaggeration and physical comedy, but there\u2019s also a respect for the art form itself. Their goal is to spread the love of dance overall, and along the way, to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ artistry.<\/p>\n<p>With a half century behind them, they\u2019re looking to the future, and planning for future commissioned works, as well as continuing the educational program the company instituted in 2016. Launched in 2023, The Trocks\u2019 Choreography Institute offers residency collaborations with selected choreographers to experiment with the company and its dancers, and possibly lead to future commissions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_117877\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117877\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-117877\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Ballet-Trockadero-dancers-Photo-credit-Zoran-Jelenic.jpg\" alt=\"Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Zoran Jelenic)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Ballet-Trockadero-dancers-Photo-credit-Zoran-Jelenic.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Ballet-Trockadero-dancers-Photo-credit-Zoran-Jelenic-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Ballet-Trockadero-dancers-Photo-credit-Zoran-Jelenic-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Ballet-Trockadero-dancers-Photo-credit-Zoran-Jelenic-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-117877\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Zoran Jelenic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Tory Dobrin, Artistic Director: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>Tory Dobrin is the artistic director of The Trocks, a role he took on after first the company as a dancer in 1980.<\/p>\n<p>Dobrin emphasizes that The Trocks are never about poking fun at the art form itself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not mocking it. Our intention is not to mock it,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt\u2019s comedy using classical ballet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In their classic send up of Swan Lake, for example, in Act II, the focus is on the love story.<br \/>\n\u201cYou feature the relationship between the Swan Queen and the Prince,\u201d Dobrin says, \u201cthen you give the Swans vaudeville [choreography]. We try to offer a variety of things to look at during the show,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe work too hard to make a mockery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As he points out, underneath the comedy, the dancers are still executing complicated and challenging choreography.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cComedy actually gets a bad rap in a lot of ways,\u201d he says. He notes the contrast between the respect given to the great dramatic artists of the golden era of film, like Laurence Olivier or Vivien Leigh, and the way that comedians of the time like The Marx Brothers and Gracie Allen are regarded. \u201cThey aren\u2019t given the same kind of respect,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, there\u2019s lot of different types of comedy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some comedy hinges on the ridiculous and obvious, while other times, the effect is much more subtle. \u201cWe try to do the same thing, just give a lot of different types of comedy. We have 13 or 14 dancers, all who have their different individual things to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Metal Garden<\/h3>\n<p>The Toronto shows will feature the Canadian premiere of Metal Garden. Choreographer Se\u00e1n Curran created the work back in 2001, a piece that challenges audience expectations and interpretation with elements like quirky entrances and exits. It\u2019s a whimsical piece that he created for his own company.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe actually just premiered it in June,\u201d Tory says.<\/p>\n<p>Adding contemporary works to their repertoire is part of keeping The Trocks&#8217; output interesting for all audience members.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhatever we do, it has to work for a general audience,\u201d Dobrin explains. That includes both dance enthusiasts and others who may be new to the art form \u2014 and the company itself. \u201cWe try to make it interesting for us as dancers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Curran\u2019s work fit the company\u2019s aesthetic to a T.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s super quirky, and super funny. It seemed like a good choice to work with as an outside choreographer, which we don\u2019t so often.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, at first Dobrin wondered if the new piece would work for their audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe audience loved it,\u201d he says. \u201cI don\u2019t even know why they loved it \u2014 that\u2019s the beauty of comedy,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe did add a few jokes. It is a very quirky ballet. It\u2019s very enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dobrin says The Trocks\u2019 ballet master went to see the original version recently in NYC, as danced by Curran\u2019s own company.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey were doing the same choreography&#8230; and no one laughed.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_117878\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117878\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-117878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/050_Les-Ballet-Trockadero-de-Monte-Carlo.-Photo-by-Vito-Lorusso.jpg\" alt=\"Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Vito Lorusso)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/050_Les-Ballet-Trockadero-de-Monte-Carlo.-Photo-by-Vito-Lorusso.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/050_Les-Ballet-Trockadero-de-Monte-Carlo.-Photo-by-Vito-Lorusso-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/050_Les-Ballet-Trockadero-de-Monte-Carlo.-Photo-by-Vito-Lorusso-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/050_Les-Ballet-Trockadero-de-Monte-Carlo.-Photo-by-Vito-Lorusso-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-117878\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Photo: Vito Lorusso)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>A Half Century of Trocks<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been involved since 1980,\u201d Dobrin reflects. \u201cFifty years is a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The company banks on the enduring appeal of both dance, and their unique version of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe thing about it is, everyone likes comedy.\u201d As he notes, dance is currently experiencing something of a challenge in North American and Europe in terms of finding and engaging audiences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDance was very, very popular for a time,\u201d he notes. Adding comedy gives the experience an entirely different flavour. \u201cWe actually offer a fun evening. You don\u2019t have a lot of \u2018fun\u2019 evenings in ballet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One thing he wants to note in particular is their use of overall bright lighting for performances.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I have to go to a theatre and squint to see it, I don\u2019t want to go back,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>There is always an audience for quality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the longevity is because it\u2019s a very, very good show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dobrin notes that the company has evolved along with the dancers. Today, they are all contemporary dance artists. \u201cThe emphasis is different.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Trocks are also an antidote to the often dark and heavy nature of many contemporary works in the worlds of both theatre and dance. \u201cWe offer something different.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also an ideal date night for a couple or groups of friends where some may already be dance aficionados, while others are comedy fans. Dobrin says their audiences include the usual dance crowd along with theatre lovers and the simply curious. \u201cWe attract a gay and lesbian audience, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The company presents a diverse face to the audience in terms of performers, an eclectic group with a range of body types. Audiences are also multi-generational.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a lot of kids now,\u201d Troy says. \u201cIt\u2019s not a children\u2019s show. It\u2019s a sophisticated dance performance, but kids love it,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s super good introduction to ballet for kids.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Final Thoughts: Dance<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know what is going on in Canada now, but things are pretty grim here,\u201d Dobrin says. \u201cIn the United States, the presenters just aren\u2019t presenting dance they way they used to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Trocks\u2019 comedy does give them an edge in this difficult environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re maintaining ourselves, which is an accomplishment in this day and age.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He says he has a standard answer when people ask him about future plans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI say, just surviving is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find show details and tickets for Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo in Toronto [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/showoneproductions.ca\/event\/trockadero-canada-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>] and they&#8217;ll be performing in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.placedesarts.com\/en\/event\/ballets-trockadero-de-monte-carlo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Montreal at the Place des Arts on October 16<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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