BH Living is well known for covering the Arts across our region and indeed have a special affection for Performing Arts including ballet productions.
From the 5th March the Russian State Ballet of Siberia are due to perform a series of classical ballets including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker at The Pavilion, Bournemouth but many venues across the UK have already cancelled the performances in light of recent developments in Ukraine.
At the time of writing, the performances at The Pavilion Bournemouth are still planned to go ahead.
However despite requests from the ballet company’s PR Agents to preview and review the shows, we will be withdrawing our coverage in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends.
The world of sport has already cancelled a number of events involving Russia including the Russian F1 Grand Prix and The Champions League Final originally destined to be in St Petersburg but now moved to Paris by European football’s governing body UEFA.
We believe the world of performing arts should follow suit and that Russian interests should be denied access to the stage until its government reverses its illegal and hostile invasion of Ukraine.
Whilst the ballet company itself may not have done anything wrong specifically, it is inconceivable that a Russian backed theatre or ballet company should be welcomed on stage in any civilised country. By excluding Russia from the global community, the world is sending a powerful message to The Kremlin and more importantly to the Russian people, so often subject to their government’s skewed news and propaganda.
The world’s message to the Russian people should be “Your government are bullies and bullying is not tolerated in any form”. The only way to deliver this message is through the worlds of Business, Finance, Sport and Entertainment.
**STOP PRESS** Since publishing this article, the performances have now been cancelled by The Pavilion. Ticket holders will be contacted by BH Live tickets with information regarding future scheduling/refunds.