REVIEW : Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo's Japan tour 08/06/2024

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo's Japan tour 2024 started on 25th May, and ended on 9th June 2024.

This is the show!

Before watching their performance, I thought the Trocks were just a comedy ballet company where men wear pointe shoes. However, I was moved and completely captivated by the graceful performance of the Trocks.
Since my childhood, I've wanted to see the Trocks perform so much, and one of my dreams came true in 2024. Thank you for performing in Japan! As a spectator, it was a great pleasure to watch their exquisite performance here in Japan. The dancers' energy and the unique choreography combined to create an unforgettable experience.

Not only the dancers, but also the other members who were part of this tour made the audience burst into laughter. The announcement of intermission was particularly hilarious, especially with his dark joke about a famous Japanese baseball player.
We, the audience, were delighted that the Trocks and staff tried to make us laugh and happy. Thank you for coming to Japan, thank you for making us happier.

Got an autograph of beautiful Grunya Protazova(Salvador Sasot Sellart)

An Amazing "Program A"：★★★★★

I've known about the Trocks for a long time, but it was the first time I saw their spectacular show in person. I had the opportunity to watch "Program A" in Shibuya, Tokyo, because some of my followers strongly recommended seeing their performance. Of course, I was extremely satisfied. Highly recommended! ★★★★★

In Program A, the Trocks performed "Swan Lake", "Patterns in Space", "Yes, Virginia Another Piano Ballet", "Black Swan Pas de deux", "Dying Swan", and "Paquita".

In Act 1 was "Swan Lake", needless to say, they had super comical movements, but I was impressed by how beautiful the use of their arms is, like a swan. Colette Adae(Jake Speakman) portrayed the title role Odette, and she was hilarious and graceful. She was expressive and her acting could reach the audience even on the third floor. I was overwhelmed by her beautiful swan movements. Sometimes she danced mournfully, and it reminded me of legendary Russian Ballerinas. 
Araf Legupski(Andrea Fabbri) who was the role of  Prince has a brilliant ballet history. Before he Joined to Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, he danced with the LA Ballet and the Estonian National Ballet. Even though he just walked and stood on stage, he looked like a real prince.
Japanese born Anya Marx(Shohei Iwahama) was the member of "four little swans", he showed an amazing flexibility and made us laugh a lot.

After an intermission, we also had an opportunity to watch the "Black Swan", and this was the most amazing pas de deux that I've ever watched.
Vaganova educated Varvara Laptopova(Takaomi Yoshino) danced the role of "Black Swan". Her expression was not flashy and grandiose, but mysterious. Her beautiful arm discribed a beautiful line, especially her renversé and attitude reminded me Mariinsky's prima, Victoria Tereshkina. In the coda, of course she showed us a wonderful Fouetté with double and triple pirouettes, and her arm position reminded me of Bolshoi's prima, Maria Alexandrova.

The gorgeous "Dying Swan", Olga Supphozova(Robert Carter) was true diva. Coming onto the stage with scattering feathers, she showed us clearly and visually that she was dying. Her arm movement reminded me of the Moscow style. By that, I mean it reminded me of Nina Ananiashvili.

Act 3 was my favourite "Paquita"! 
With her elegant movement, title role  Nadia Doumiafeyva(Philip Martin-Nielson) reminiscented of a Russian legend Uliana Lopatkina. The prince was portrayed by Mikhail Mudkin(Raydel Caceres). Comical and happy.
Who impressed me the most was, once again Varvara Laptopova(Takaomi Yoshino) Her dynamic jump and pirouette are magnificent, but what I love the most is his graceful port-de-bras. Beautiful St. Petersburg style arm movement always made us feel as if we were watching Russian famous ballet company.

Just one thing I've been really disappointed by.

I was so delighted to watch their spectacular performance, but I would like to mention one thing that disappointed us so much.
I know lots of Japanese fans wanted to see the performances of Trocks because their stage seems brilliant and breathtaking. However, a large number of ballet fans couldn't have the opportunity to buy tickets because we could NOT select a seat online. Top-grade seats (S-seat) were almost JPY10,000 (calculating if $1=¥157, it will be about $65), and not being able to select seat for that price is not ideal for Japanese fans, they consider it expensive.

Undoubtedly, I guarantee the performance of the Trocks is worth that price, but it is quite hard to buy tickets without seat selection for most Japanese people. On the website of the Trocks' Japanese tour, we had 7 ticket agencies, but NOWHERE was there a seat selection option. This was a missed sales opportunity.
If we could reserve seats when we purchased online, I think more and more fans would buy tickets. I know lots of people who are interested in the Trocks and would love to see their performance so much. So next time, I hope we will be able to select our seats.