Donkey bows out of Russian ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet of St Petersburg, formerly the Kirov, has said farewell to one of its longest-serving artistes - Monika, a 21-year-old female donkey

The animal retired after 19 years' service carrying the character Sancho Panza around the famous stage in productions of the ballet Don Quixote.

At her retirement party, Monika danced a waltz with a ballerina and was given a carrot cake, pinafore and kerchief.

Her role will be taken over by another female donkey called Alina.

"It is a pity that she is retiring so early, but of course as it is well known, ballerinas also retire early," Anastasia Kolegova, one of the Mariinsky's star ballerinas, told Reuters news agency.


She sometimes nodded her head to the music, and drew some of the attention from the ballerinas - we sometimes told her off about that
Anastasia Kolegova

"It doesn't mean that she will stop working altogether, and we hope she will share her experience with the new star, Alina."

Ms Kolegova said there were times when Monika would become the focus of attention on stage during productions of Don Quixote.

"She always coped easily with her duties, and she seemed to do it with pleasure," she said.

"She sometimes nodded her head to the music, and drew some of the attention from the ballerinas. We sometimes told her off about that!"

Tatyana Solomatina of St Petersburg Zoo, where Monika lives, said the donkey always knew the correct time to appear on stage and required no prompting.

Ordinarily, a piece of carrot cake and a pinafore would be considered a pretty rubbish retirement present.
However, when the Mariinsky ballet in St Petersburg (better known as the Kirov) recently celebrated the retirement of one of its longest-serving performers, the aforementioned items apparently went down a treat. Although that may have been because the departing employee was Monika, a female donkey that’s spent the last 19 years ferrying around Sancho Panza when the company performs Don Quixote.

Not that Monika was any old beast of burden. Mariinsky star Anastasia Kolegova told Reuters that Monika was blessed with exquisite timing, and would often steal the show during her regular appearances on stage. ‘She sometimes nodded her head to the music, and drew some of the attention from the ballerinas. We sometimes told her off about that,’ she admitted. Clearly a donkey with star quality.

Russian Ballet's Donkey Takes Final Bow

Monika, the donkey, one of the Mariinsky ballet's longest serving artistes has been retired after 19 years with the ballet.

Monika carried the overweight servant in the Don Quixote ballet for 19 years. Monica is 21 years old. Her role has been given to a much younger Alina.

Between performances Monica lived at the St. Petersburg zoo. "She knew the exact time to appear in the ballet, even without someone accompanying her," said Tatyana Solomatina, spokeswoman for the zoo where Monika lives.

Donkey Ends Career With Maryinsky Ballet

Compiled by LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
Published: March 25, 2008

After 19 years with the Maryinsky Ballet Company of St. Petersburg, Russia, Monika the donkey, above, has retired, Reuters reported. At a farewell party given by the Maryinsky, Monika, 21, waltzed with one of the company’s ballerinas and was given a carrot cake, a pinafore and a kerchief. Monika’s principal role was in “Don Quixote,” carrying Quixote’s overweight servant, Sancho Panza. “She loves to perform, and she loves applause,” said Tatyana Solomatina, a spokeswoman for the St. Petersburg zoo, which is home to Monika between performances. “She knew the exact time to appear in the ballet, even without someone accompanying her.” Monika will be succeeded by Alina.

Forget Bill, Monica rules in Russia

The name may be famous for sexual antics in America, but in Russia Monica is the most famous donkey in the land. For 19 years she’s performed leading stage roles at St. Petersburg’s world-famous Mariinsky Theatre. But now she’s retiring.

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Monica must have a good pension by now; the zoo received some $US 200 for every performance.

Also the star of a Gladiator movie, she used to have a part-time job in Don Quixote and Undina. But fame doesn’t last forever.

She’s just 21 - middle aged by donkey’s standards - but as every artist knows, it’s best to quit in your prime before you make an ass of yourself.

Now all the donkey work will be passed on to her understudy, Alina.

She's lovely

Donkey quits Russian ballet



Russia's Mariinsky ballet has said farewell to one of its longest-serving artistes, a 21-year-old female donkey named Monika.

The animal is to be pensioned off after 19 years carrying the knight's overweight servant Sancho Panza around the stage in productions of the ballet Don Quixote.

The Mariinsky, previously known as the Kirov, is one of Russia's foremost ballet troupes.

t her farewell party, Monika danced a waltz with one of the Mariinsky's ballerinas and was presented with retirement gifts of carrot cake, a pinafore and a kerchief.

Her role will be taken over by another female donkey named Alina.

'She loves to perform and she loves applause,' said Tatyana Solomatina, a spokeswoman for St Petersburg zoo, where Monika lives between performances.

'She knew the exact time to appear in the ballet, even without someone accompanying her.'

Donkey takes final bow




Mar 25 - Monika the donkey is being put out to pasture after 19 years of stardom with a Russian ballet company.

Monika may not be the most graceful dancer, but the female donkey has been a longstanding and loyal member of Russia's Mariinsky ballet company, formerly known as the Kirov.

The 21 year old donkey has appeared in productions like Don Quixote, carrying Sancho Panza, and has often been a star attraction.

Her starring role will be taken over by Alina, another female donkey.