A Night at the Russian Ballet

Oh, this was full of awesome.

A Russian ballet group, including dancers from several troupes such as the Bolshoi, came to Doha for a performance.   It was a collection of "classic" (i.e., popular) pieces from the standards--Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Don Quixote--as well as several more modern dances.  It was like a box of ballet chocolates where all of them are superb even if one or two are your favorites.

Hannah wanted to know how many "kicking donkeys" would be in that one called Don Quixote, and I assured her that, as a child who is very close to her mother, she will go far in life.  My Texas people should also rest assured that the Native Accent is being learned, even 8,000 miles away.

The tickets for the show were surprisingly expensive ($240 for the three of us in "third class," and Hannah was 1/2 price), but it was worth every penny for many reasons. It was a true splurge, and something I would have either not been able or willing to afford in Texas.





John in his cookie duster and the Princess in her gown. Of course, ballet + gold dress = bun wrapped in golden ribbon.  The other audience members were in a funny array of things, from jeans to ball gowns.  It was great to be among a wide array of cultures and characters. Several friends, including the two Russian ladies that I count as friends and our talented, beautiful Russian music teacher, all went.  A taste of home and a source of well-deserved pride!

The flash was bright, and the Qatar National Convention Center theater was gorgeous.  The slope of the seating meant that even in the "third class" section, we could see just fine.

The seats were also large and comfortable, which meant I was immediately afraid that I might just go to sleep as soon as the lights were down, but that turned out not to be the case.  The dancing and music were beautiful and paying attention was not difficult, even for a tired middle-aged woman.

John brought some Very Fine Binoculars, which I never get did get to try out, but the girlchild said they were useful, especially at spotting bogies and blemishes on her mother's face.

The show didn't start until 8:30, well past bedtime, but Hannah was excitedly on the edge of her seat through the first half (six dances), then she and Jean Cheri split a coke at intermission.  At the start of the second half, she decided that my lap looked even more comfortable than the seats, and by no more than 30 seconds into the first dance...

 The convention center is HUGE.  Big enough to have people who drive visitors in gold carts through the indoor center to get from one end (theater) to the other (exit to garages). Thankfully, she woke up about 1/2 way to the car.  She has gotten bigger, as is appropriate at almost 6.5 years old.