Over the last three years, drag queens have drawn the attention of right-wing activists and politicians, who have sought to ban drag shows and protest drag queen story hour events. However, the history of drag is long-standing, with men taking female roles on stage as far back as ancient Greece. In the late 1800s, William Dorsey Swann held drag balls for former slaves and was hailed as the first official drag queen.
Marking its 50th anniversary this year, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is embarking on a national tour that arrives in San Diego next weekend. Founded in New York City in 1974, the Trocks are celebrated for their male ballet dancers donning drag to perform classical ballet works, including scenes from “Swan Lake” and “Paquita.” The company’s tour program showcases the camp, playfulness, and talent that has helped them perform in 43 countries and over 660 cities worldwide.
Each of the 15 international dancers in the Trocks has a male and female drag persona, complete with amusing biographies. For example, Kevin Garcia performs as Elvira Khababgallina and Sergey Legupski, Shohei Isahama as Anya Marx and Chip Pididouda, and Matias Dominguez Escrig as Gerd Törd and Pavel Törd.
In addition to the current members, Jake Speakman, originally from Philadelphia, joined the company in 2021. Despite beginning his dance journey in middle school, he managed to join the Trocks, where he performs as Colette Adae and Timur Legupski. Speakman’s story is just one example of the talent and dedication that the Trocks bring to their one-of-a-kind performances.
To celebrate their anniversary, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. on February 2nd at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego. Tickets are available for purchase online.
This highly entertaining dance troupe combines majestic ballet performances with drag to create a show that is a must-see for dance enthusiasts and for anyone fascinated by the intersections of art and culture.
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