LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO

UK tour until October 29 trockadero.org

BALLET is a grand and glorious thing – and often rather serious. Not so when the “Trocks” are on stage. The all-male company sassily spoofs classical and modern dance with hilarious aplomb, resplendent with wonderful “drag” names from Minnie van Driver to the Legupski Brothers.

The chaps have been merrily mangling the classics since 1974 but their schtick always lands because of love for the art form and respect for the technique. Among pratfalls and visual gags, they also flourish some fabulous forms, never more on point than when they are en pointe.

Guffaws rang out constantly at the Peacock Theatre as they roasted Swan Lake throughout Act I, sensationally led by Vavara Laptopova (Takaomi Yoshino) reeling off stunning leaps and turns while mugging merrily to the crowd.

Equally impressive is scene-stealing solo The Dying Swan performed by Olga Supphozova, aka Robert Carter. He has been with the troupe since 1995 and brings the house down with every arthritic twitch and gurning groan amid extraordinary finesse. Sensational!

The tour also includes the barnstorming Raymonda’s Wedding, ditching the serious plot for the happy ending via divine dancing. Do not miss.

SIX Vaudeville Theatre sixthemusical.com

THE six unfortunate wives of Henry VIII find their voices in a right royal triumph that mixes impressive her-storical facts and insight with wit, heart and seriously brilliant tunes.

After three years ruling over London’s West End, the musical has six new leads for the first time and the great joy is seeing how they bring fabulous fresh facets to the roles.

Returning fans (guilty as charged) sing along to every line, while my 12-year-old novice niece beamed and bounced in her seat throughout this irresistibly euphoric celebration of girl power. I’d give it six stars if I could.