London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025

Russian ballets cancelled across UK amid Ukraine crisis

Russian ballets cancelled across UK amid Ukraine crisis

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia is latest company to have UK performances pulled

A Northampton theatre has become the latest venue to cancel a performance by a Russian ballet company amid the crisis in Ukraine.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia, which has been performing in the UK since 2007, was due to complete a three-night run at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, performing Cinderella, The Snow Maiden and The Nutcracker.

But on Saturday the theatre tweeted: “Given the situation in Ukraine, Royal & Derngate have taken the decision to cancel today’s performances of the Russian State Ballet.

“All customers who have purchased tickets for the ballet will receive a full refund and be contacted by our box office team over the next 10 days. They ask that you do not contact them at this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.”


Performances have also been cancelled in Wolverhampton and on Friday, the Helix theatre in Dublin cancelled a performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet “to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine”.

Wolverhampton Grand theatre said the decision to cancel the upcoming shows from 28 February to 2 March was “absolutely the right thing to do given the circumstances” as Russian troops closed in on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

In a statement, Wolverhampton Grand theatre said: “Discussions and consultations between management, producers and agents have been ongoing since last Thursday.

“The decision to cancel is absolutely the right thing to do given the circumstances, however this will have a significant financial impact on the theatre which is still in recovery following the closure forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Wolverhampton Grand theatre is a charity which works exclusively within the whole community, working with everyone.”

It added that all customers who had bought tickets for the ballet would receive a full refund.

The Royal Opera House in London has cancelled a tour from Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet in light of the crisis in Ukraine.

“A summer season of the Bolshoi Ballet at the Royal Opera House had been in the final stages of planning,” it said in a statement. “Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, the season cannot now go ahead.”

Outside Northampton’s Royal & Derngate theatre on Friday night, people expressed sympathy for the dancers of the Russian State Ballet of Siberia performing on stage that evening.

Selina Bidwell, who was attending the event with her mother, Veronica Ridzwan, said: “I was waiting to see whether it would be cancelled this afternoon, but more because they themselves, the Russians, might have thought they can’t go and do this.

“They must be wondering what reception they’ll get. I imagine they’re nervous. But it’s not their fault, we shouldn’t penalise them. They’re just trying to make a living. It’s not their fault they have a despot for a leader. We don’t know them, but if they are the ones that don’t agree with it, we need to support them.”

Another audience member said: “There’s a million and one things we can do to help, and cancelling [the ballet] is not one of them.”

He was wearing a yellow tie and trousers with a blue shirt to show solidarity with Ukraine, and said he had expected to see a protest outside the theatre. “But it’s not their fault. It’s one man’s fault, he’s a megalomaniac. I don’t really do politics but I hate bullies,” he said.

Ridzwan said the huge anti-war rallies taking place in Russia, in spite of Putin’s strict regime, showed how much of the Russian population opposed the invasion. “Not just in Moscow, all across the country they have come out,” she said.

Another guest, Jennifer Cartwright, said: “Those people in there are nothing to do with the actual war. Why should they be punished and blacklisted?”

Her daughter, Penny Welsh, said she understood why some people might feel uncomfortable attending. “I think some people might think it’s showing where your loyalties lie,” she said. “But it’s not. This is art, this is something beautiful, regardless of where it comes from.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×