Introduction
If you want to spend a September Saturday at the theater without unnecessary pomp, "Paquita" at the National Opera of Ukraine seems like a very fitting option. The performance is scheduled for September 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM, ending at 4:20 PM, so it's a format that easily fits into your daytime plans without tying up your entire evening for the event.
This is a one-act ballet based on the music of Édouard Deldevez with musical additions by Ludwig Minkus. The Grand Pas from the ballet "Paquita" is presented on the stage of the National Opera of Ukraine, so you can expect a bright classical fragment of the repertoire rather than a full-length multi-hour version.
About the Event
"Paquita" is listed in the theater's program as a ballet in 1 act. The performance starts at 3:00 PM and ends at 4:20 PM, making it a compact daytime show without a long theatrical marathon. For those who love classical ballet but don’t want to spend half the evening in the hall, this format is very convenient.
An important detail: the description of the performance states that the literary basis of the ballet is Miguel de Cervantes' novella "The Gypsy Girl," and the premiere took place in Paris at the Grand Opéra in 1846. The National Opera of Ukraine features the Grand Pas from "Paquita," choreographed by Marius Petipa.
Plot and Mood
The plot of "Paquita" in this stage version is presented through a romantic, dance classical tradition: it is a story with a clear emphasis on the beauty of movement, technique, and ensemble energy. It feels like a performance where the audience comes not so much for a complex psychological conflict, but for a celebration of ballet, elegance, and spectacular numbers.
To put it simply, this is a case where what matters on stage is not so much the words, but the plasticity, music, and visual lightness. The format is well-suited for those who just want to enjoy a few hours and leave the theater feeling that the day has become a little more festive.
- The main focus here is on the Grand Pas, that is, on the brilliant classical dance form.
- The performance relies on music, costumes, and the precision of the ensemble.
- This is a good choice for those who love the "great school" of academic ballet.
Production
The production version at the National Opera of Ukraine is associated with the choreography of Marius Petipa. The set design was created by Vyacheslav Okunev, and the costumes by Irina Press, so the performance has the same classical theatrical charm that works well in a large repertory theater.
Conductors Alexey Baklan and Sergey Golubnichy are listed on the event page. Among the performers for the upcoming show are Kateryna Kukhar, Olga Holytsia, Tetiana Lyozova, Anastasia Shevchenko, Kateryna Kozachenko, Yan Vanya, Mykyta Sukhorukov, Yaroslav Tkachuk, Yulia Kulyk, Lina Volodina, Irina Borisova, Kateryna Dehtyarova, Diana Statchenko, Marina Stepanchenko-Bondziuk, Kateryna Chupina, Oleksandr Skulkin, Margarita Alyanakh, and other artists of the troupe.
The theater itself in this material remains, in essence, a separate part of the impression: it is the grand stage of the National Opera of Ukraine, where classical ballets usually work especially convincingly due to the scale, acoustics, and grandeur of the hall.
How to Get There, Duration, and Intermissions
The venue is located at: Volodymyrska Street, 50, Kyiv, 01030. This is the National Opera of Ukraine, so the landmark for you is very simple: the central part of the city and a well-known theater location.
The show lasts from 3:00 PM to 4:20 PM, so the total duration is 1 hour and 20 minutes. The event page does not specify intermissions separately, and for such timing, they usually either do not exist or are not a significant part of the program.
The theater allows entry no earlier than 45 minutes before the performance starts, and entry to the auditorium after the performance has begun is prohibited. If you are late, the administrator will seat you in a suggested place, and during the intermission, you can move to the seat indicated on your ticket.
Prices and Who It's For
At the time of preparing this text, there is no published ticket price for this specific performance in the official program, so it is more accurate to refer to other tickets for the theater in a similar segment or check for availability closer to the date. In similar performances at the central theater, tickets usually sell out in a wide range, but it’s better not to guess the exact amount here.
This is a very good option for a date, for a soft family outing with older children, or for a group of friends who love classical without excessive academicism. If you haven’t been to a ballet in a while, "Paquita" can be a pleasant entry into the genre: it doesn’t overwhelm but also doesn’t seem like a random "tick" on the program.
Tips for the Audience
It’s worth arriving at the theater at least 45 minutes before the start to calmly go through the entrance and not rush. The official page of the theater clearly states that entry to the hall is not allowed after the performance has started, so it’s better not to take risks with this.
The dress code here is not formal to the point of rigidity, but sports and beachwear are prohibited in the theater. The best option is neat urban smart casual: this way, you will feel comfortable and won’t stand out from the atmosphere of a grand theater.
During the intermission, if there is one, it’s nice to just step out into the foyer, look around the building, grab a program, and take a little break before the second act. Do you prefer daytime theater performances without a late return home, or do you enjoy an evening with a sense of a true outing into the world?