There’s something about a man in a frock that we all just seem to find funny. While the Trock’s show involves men dressing up in drag, it’s the furthest thing from a drag show. It’s a truly hilarious night of entertainment that anyone can enjoy, and a witty, intelligent and revealing examination that celebrates the artform of dance.

It’s easy on first glance to dismiss this as a one trick pony drag act. However this is not about men playing women at all. It’s all about dance and it’s traditions, conventions and idiosyncrasies distinct to it as an artform. It’s more about the examination of the egos and characters that live in the medium of dance than anything resembling gender politics.

A huge part of the show’s success comes from its accessibility. You don’t have to be a fan of dance or know anything about it to enjoy this show. In fact, if you’re not a fan of dance generally, you’ll be the most shocked at how engaging and funny you’ll find the Trocks. The slapstick humour, men in dresses and the twisted characters they play will pretty much tickle anyone’s funny bone. However, if you are a dance fan or perhaps if you’ve ever been a dancer yourself, then your in for an added treat of hilarious inside jokes put in there just for you.

The show is arranged into three acts divided by two short intervals. The first act is a humorous take on the classical Romantic ballet tale Giselle first produced in 1841. It tells the story of a group of undead spirits who haunt a grave yard where a girl has just died. When her grieving lover comes to her grave, he is haunted by the ghouls and forced to dance to death. Will the spirit of his dead girlfriend be able to keep him alive till the sun rises?

The second act is by far the funniest part of the whole show, an absolutely hysterical examination of contemporary dance. Three dancers move to the sounds and beats created by two musicians at the front of the stage. To say any more would be to ruin the fun. But you’ll wet your pants from laughing so hard. It is followed by an equally funny tribute to ‘stars and stripes’ patriotism. The slapstick will crack you up. The twirling will enthrall you.

And then there is ‘The Dying Swan’. Check her out below:

There is a perception of dance as being serious, brooding and humourless. Not surprisingly then, in s sports obsessed nation like Australia, there is hesitation to get involved in or have an opinion about dance. The Trocks remind us of the joy , passion and humanity by bringing an essential funny tone that reveals that Dance and dancers do indeed have a sense of humour about themselves. The subsequent result is not just a hilariously funny night of entertainment, but a celebration of Dances and it’s sometimes obtuce traditions and conventions.

Despite their best attempts to be hammy and appear like bad dancers, there is no hiding the fact that the dancers in the troupe are actually exceptional artists. In fact they are absolutely captivating in parts and utterly inspirational to watch. You will be moved especially by the joyous Spanish inspired third act.

35 years on and the Trocks are still selling out shows worldwide. And it’s not hard to see why. Despite the guise of bad dance and drag, this amazing troupe of dancers proves that it’s more than a one trick pony with a brilliant new hilarious night of entertainment that’s a witty, intelligent and revealing examination that celebrates the artform of dance.

The Trocks are currently touring Australia. Look out for these dates:

26th Oct – 1st Nov at the Arts Center (Melb), 4th – 7th November at Her Majesties (Syd), 10th – 14th Nov QPAC (Bris) and 18th -22nd Nov in Perth.