Playhouse pulls Russian ballet
Russian State Ballet Company of Siberia cancelled
The Edinburgh Playhouse has cancelled next week’s performances from Russian State Ballet Company of Siberia, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The company had been due to play Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 March 2022, with one performances of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet on Thursday and three performances of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake over the Friday and Saturday.
Russian State Ballet of Siberia: Swan Lake. Pic: Raymond Gubbay
The Ambassador Theatre Group, which runs the theatre, issued the following statement this evening, Saturday 26 Feb:
“The Ambassador Theatre Group stands firmly behind the people and nation of Ukraine at this time. Consequently, the decision has been taken to cancel the forthcoming visit of the Russian State Ballet Company of Siberia to our venues, Edinburgh Playhouse and Bristol Hippodrome, which were scheduled to take place between 3-5 March and 25-26 March respectively.
“We hope for a swift return to peace and stability in the region.
We will be in touch with customers who had tickets for these performances as soon as possible, and thank them for their patience and understanding.”
The move has received strong, but not universal, support on the Playhouse’s Facebook page. The statement had had 1,400 likes within two hours of appearing with the majority of comments in favour.
“Sad to miss the performance but completely back the decision. 🇺🇦” wrote one. And another: “we are heartbroken, but right decision! hopefully receive a refund soon.”
However, the support was not universal, with at least one commentator saying “What an embarrassment. What has the Ballet Company got to do with this? Why not just call for the arrest of all Russians living in the UK?”
ENDS
