High drama at Dubai ballet as audience argues with organisers over ‘disaster’

Ticket-holders said the floor plan was nothing like the multi-level venue seen online and the two special guests advertised were not there.

Natalia Osipova and Sergei Polunin (next photo) were advertised to dance at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday night, but were replaced by two others. Cindy Ord / Getty Images

Organisers of Gala-Ballet performance come in for criticism as ticket holders, many of whom left before the end, complain of poor seating and missing stars.

DUBAI // A row has broken out between ballet lovers and the organisers of a Gala-Ballet performance at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday night that was “poorly organised and a total disaster”.

Ticket-holders said the floor plan at the theatre was nothing like the multi-level venue seen online and that two world-class dancers who were advertised to dance did not turn up.

Milene Bizachi, 36, from the UK, said that the show, for which the audience had paid between Dh380 and Dh780, was “really bad” and not what she expected from a night of ballet.

“The seats people bought did not exist, there was no clear view to the stage, it was an hour late to start and over 200 people walked away,” she said.

She said security got involved when people began shouting and arguing with organisers.

Ms Bizachi said she contacted the organisers, Magic Crown Entertainment, for a refund.

“They have asked me to email them, and I still haven’t received a reply from them,” she said.

Juliana Leite, 41, from Brazil, said she and her six-year-old daughter were extremely disappointed with the show.

“It was a total disaster. I was in shock and without words when I walked in to see an empty flat floor with folding chairs,” she said.

“How can one see a ballet? See people move? It’s just impossible, especially for a six-year-old.”

Ms Leite said she bought two tickets online for the front row of the middle level for Dh1,160. However, the floor plan was completely different when she arrived, she said.

“My ticket was for Row 31, and even though the row said 31, it was not in the front as shown online, it was the last row,” she said, adding that there were no levels to the venue.

“It was a circus, it didn’t look like a theatre. It looked like someone came in at the last-minute and put this together.”

Ms Leite also said that she talked to organisers to demand a refund and was asked to send an email to the company. “It was a joke,” she said.

Raghda Helal, 31, from Egypt, said the organisation of the event was “unacceptable”.

“I was really upset about the show, and I left 45 minutes into it, during the first break,” she said.

“It’s a shame because the dancers were beautiful, but we were already frustrated that the show started an hour late, the sound was horrible and we could not see a thing.”

Ms Helal said she and her boyfriend were supposed to be seated in White D41, but the row did not exist.

“They put us anywhere, and in other people’s seats, who were, rightfully, upset,” she said. “Even before the show started, customers were arguing with the organisers, because as soon as you entered the venue you knew something was wrong.”

The Gala-Ballet was advertised by Magic Crown Entertainment (MCE) as special performances from Russian Natalia Osipova and Sergei Polunin, from Ukraine.

MCE said that the two invited dancers were replaced by Ukrainian Iana Salenko and Australian Steven McRae due to “unpredictable circumstances”, adding that Osipova was unable to perform after an injury she sustained during rehearsal.

“This incident was announced in all media. We have also changed these two names in all advertisement resources straight after this incident took place,” said an MCE spokeswoman, who added that refunds would be given to those who complained but did not watch the show.

A second show was scheduled to take place at the same venue the following night but it was cancelled due to “poor ticket sales”.

“We have all their contact details and will get back to them but those who stayed for the whole performance will not get the refund as the show took place, even though it was delayed,” she said.

The floor plan changed due to the poor ticket sales, the spokeswoman added.

“We sold only 1,000 tickets. Due to this, we changed the seating plan, reducing it from 4,000 people to 2,000. In fact, we upgraded everyone’s seat to higher category, meaning people got better and more expensive seats for the same price.”

MCE used the best audio equipment and the music was audible, she added, saying that the show was only delayed due to a fire alarm going off.