Comic take on testosterone in tutus and tiaras

THIS is not your regular dance ensemble. In fact, there’s nothing conventional about Les Ballets Eloelle. For a start, just say their name out loud – the Spanish word for “him” and “or” and the French name for “her”

is pronounced LOL.

This is a company made up men. In tutus. And in roles normally reserved for women. It makes their work doubly difficult but often also double the fun because audiences can’t help but laugh at their outlandish acts; sometimes clumsy pirouettes and affectionate parodies of traditional classic roles.

But you’ll also see men in male roles as they partner the “ballerinas” garbed in tutus and tiaras.

Audiences can laugh out loud as the dancers cavort and pirouette (sometimes not so effortlessly).

Artistic director and lead dancer Victor Hugo Trevino founded the company in 1996 under the name Ballets Grandiva. The name was changed in 2011 to its current name.

“There is this mystique that dance is too difficult to understand and is only for audiences who have a deep knowledge of culture and art,” says Trevino. “We hope to change that misconception using comedy as a means to expose audiences to the magic of dance.

“Those who love ballet will certainly see the choreography and skill of the dancers that’s expected in a traditional ballet.”

With an ensemble from all over the world, he says he has many loyal dancers, some of whom have been with him since 2003. Dancers come from the US, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines, Australia, Colombia, the Isle of Wight and Japan.

But he adds, “It’s important we reflect on what we do and not rest on our laurels – it’s constantly evolving.”

The show will feature a a parody of George Balanchine’s choreography; and

is on at the Artscape Opera in Cape Town from Thursday until Sunday. Book at Computicket.