Don Quixote

o to break up this thread of never-ending outdoorsy stuff, here is something artsy. We went to a ballet last night - the Royal New Zealand Ballet performed Don Quixote:
And this is the story: The ageing Don is on a final quest for adventure. Accompanied by his young nephew, Sancho, and a bag full of ready cash, the Don sets off to town and beyond.
There they meet the devious and seedy Gamache with his consort of rough and ready street dancers, plus the beautiful and feisty Kitri and her young lover Basilio, a local delivery boy.But there's trouble afoot! The confused Don, believing that Kitri is his lost love, follows her and Basilio on their secret tryst to the gypsy camp. With his eye on the money, the sneaky Gamache follows closely. Seeing his opportunity, he rouses the gypsies to taunt the Don, before robbing him of his bag of cash. Left almost unconscious and alone, the Don has terrifying visions of storms and windmills, followed by a visit from Cupid, who reveals a whole array of ravishing beauties to behold.
But alas, it is only a dream and when his nephew Sancho returns with Basilio to rescue the bedraggled Don, they return to town penniless. Meanwhile, Gamache with his newfound illegal wealth is celebrating in town with his girls. The Don returns and realises that it was Gamache who stole his bag of money. Accusations and a fight ensue, resulting in Gamache being arrested and sent to prison. A happy ending? Not yet… Kitri’s father, a pretentious café owner, is adamant that his daughter will not marry a poor delivery boy. And that is that. However, in a gesture of thanks for Basilio’s help, the Don gives the bag of cash to Kitri’s father, thus freeing the way for her to marry her love. The town celebrates the wedding of Kitri and Basilio, the Don returns to his dreams and Kitri’s father does up the cafe.
And from a review: "This production of the ballet classic Don Quixote – first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1869 – is among the most accessible and spectacular productions from the Royal NZ Ballet and is marked by elder statesman Sir Jon Trimmer in the title role at age 69 in this, his 50th year with the company.

The sets are stunning and brilliantly colourful. The dancing is superb. ......" I can wholeheartedly second that!

(Images from http://www.nzballet.org.nz/image-gallery/don-quixote-dress-rehearsal)