TUTU
Sadler’s Wells East
★★★½
“cheeky, charming and delightfully frothy”
Two hundred years after the first tutu floated onto the stage, Chicos Mambo’s ‘TUTU’ gleefully tears up the rulebook. This irreverent send up of ballet’s most sacred traditions invites you to revel in the mischief, even if it drifts a little off course.
This gender fluid dance revue playfully dismantles dance traditions. With an almost entirely male cast, expect cheeky twists on everything from pointe work and partnering, to fouettés and famous sequences. Even ballroom and rhythmic gymnastics can’t escape a playful ribbing – though none so affectionately as the legendary tutu.
With choreography from Artistic Director Philippe Lafeuille and Assistant Choreographer Flavie Hennion, the show feels like a tale of two halves. The first lands with confidence and flair, featuring an instantly recognisable music box opener, cheeky tutu trousered legs revealing bare chested bravado, and a magically lit floating tutu. Early numbers have plenty to say, turning everything from Cygnets to Strictly, Rose Adagio to Rite of Spring into a cutting joke with a clear point of view. There’s substance too, with a sinuous aerial rope sequence showcasing male grace, and impressively executed pointe solos proving the form isn’t gender bound.
The second half loses momentum, however, with early sharp technical work fading into less witty sections; the rhythmic gymnastics and hairography routines feel a little stretched, and some gags become overused. The dance references thin out and the tutu motif stops evolving. The ending also pulls its punches, closing with a slower, slightly puzzling pom pom sequence that cuts to an abrupt blackout – though the shower of colourful pom poms is a fun touch. Overall, it feels like the opening spark gets a little lost.
The dancers – Marc Behra, David Guasgua, Julien Mercier, Kamil Pawel Jasinski, Vincent Simon, Vincenzo Veneruso and Adele Borde – excel in balancing strength, grace and cheeky charm. They demonstrate strong technique in all styles, especially the effortless pointe work. The comic sections sparkle overall, driven by crisp timing and unflagging energy. Their vocalisations – rare in classical ballet – give the piece a subversive lift.
The soundtrack and sound design by Antisten blend modern and classical tracks, including iconic ballet moments like the Rose Adagio from ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and the Dance of the Cygnets from ‘Swan Lake’. Upbeat choices, such as a cha-cha ‘Blue Danube’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’ nod, add a bright contemporary edge. There’s a gorgeous shift in mood during the quieter aerial rope sequence, and whimsical touches such as crowd sounds add extra texture. Overall, it feels thoughtfully curated and well-constructed.
Corinne Petitpierre’s costume design, assisted by Anne Tesson, centres on playful send ups of the classic tutu, with witty variations ranging from tutu trousers, ducks, nappies and the tiniest tutus imaginable. The bold, funny concepts open strongly, though seem to thin out as the piece progresses, leaving the overall message less clearly defined.
Dominique Mabileau’s lighting design, assisted by Guillaume Tesson, is beautifully realised, using selective illumination to striking effect. The puppet like sequences – especially the tutu chase and assisted pas de deux – are standout moments, sharpened by clever, precise lighting.
The bare stage effectively places the focus squarely on the dancers, and the black backdrop allows a black clad crew to create moments of pure stage magic.
Chicos Mambo’s ‘TUTU’ delivers a fun, easy-going night, even if it wanders off course. It’s well worth a trip if you’re in the mood for something cheeky, charming and delightfully frothy.
TUTU
Sadler’s Wells East
Reviewed on 11th February 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Sandro Oliveira
