Delayed Bolshoi 'Nureyev' To Premiere With Director Under Arrest
Sumaira FH Published December 08, 2017 | 11:05 PM
A Bolshoi Theatre ballet based on the life of Russian dance legend Rudolf Nureyev that was abruptly pulled in the summer will premiere Saturday
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Dec, 2017 ) :A Bolshoi Theatre ballet based on the life of Russian dance legend Rudolf Nureyev that was abruptly pulled in the summer will premiere Saturday, despite its director remaining under house arrest.
In a move unprecedented in the theatre's modern history, the Bolshoi in July cancelled the world premiere of "Nureyev" just three days before opening night, after director Kirill Serebrennikov was questioned in a high-profile criminal inquiry.
Management cited an under-rehearsed cast but many suspected it had been pulled because of the investigation or the ballet's treatment of Nureyev's homosexuality. Serebrennikov was placed under house arrest in August in a fraud case that has shocked the Russian arts community.
In September, the Bolshoi announced a premiere was scheduled for the end of the year. "Sadly our request to the investigative committee that Kirill Serebrennikov be allowed to take part in rehearsals was not answered," the Bolshoi's general director Vladimir Urin said at a news conference ahead of a final run-through on Friday.
"Everything (choreographer Yuri) Possokhov did was with the agreement of Kirill Serebrennikov," he said of rehearsals that began in mid-November. Urin and members of the cast insisted there had been no major changes to the production in the new rehearsals.
"All of us -- artists, creators and everyone involved in this show -- found it very difficult what happened (in July). We dreamed that this show would be performed and it will be," said principal dancer Vladislav Lantratov.
"I know Kirill has overseen the course of rehearsals and as far as I know he is still making comments, so he hasn't left the process," the dancer said.
- Hour-long queues - Serebrennikov, who heads Moscow's innovative Gogol Centre theatre and who has made several productions in the Bolshoi, has been accused of defrauding the state of over $1 million in arts funding.
He has denounced the charges as "absurd" and his supporters have said the case is part of a politically motivated crackdown on Russia's arts community ahead of presidential elections next year.
Dozens of prominent figures in Russia and international stars, including Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen have called for Serebrennikov to be released without charge. Last month, people queued for hours to buy tickets for two performances over the weekend.
The ballet charts the life of the superstar dancer who defected from the Soviet Union and found new fame in the West before dying from an AIDS-related illness in 1993. Beginning with an auction of Nureyev's belongings after his death before jumping back to his training in Leningrad, the production includes opera, dialogue and the Bolshoi choir.
The show, which features cross-dressing male dancers and brief flashes of nudity in projected photographs of Nureyev, has been approved for adult audiences only. In 2013 Russia passed a law banning the dissemination of "homosexual propaganda" to minors that has been denounced by the European Court of Human Rights.
Although homosexuality was decriminalised in the country in 1993, prejudice is common and human rights activists allege widespread harassment and abuse.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt committed to developing gems, jewellery sector: Minister
Three new bills introduced in Senate
Nine dead, 1,318 injured in Punjab road accidents
Ukraine, Russia exchange fire, at least seven dead
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
Joint venture decided for action against MEPCO’s defaulters
Modern irrigation system imperative to deal with water scarcity: UAF VC
Bringing 4.4mln hectares suitable land under olive cultivation to address econom ..
One woman died after speedy bus overturned
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
Parliament committed to resolve public issues on priority basis: Ghulam Mustafa
Collaborative Care of Diabetes Centre inaugurated in Faisalabad
More Stories From World
-
Ukraine, Russia exchange fire, at least seven dead
1 hour ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
1 hour ago -
US economic growth slows significantly in first quarter
1 hour ago -
Macron warns 'mortal' Europe needs stronger defence
1 hour ago -
COP29 host says deal on climate aid essential but offers few details
2 hours ago -
Ukraine jails couple for helping Russia strike hospital
2 hours ago
-
Togo opposition asks W.Africa court to overturn reforms
2 hours ago -
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
2 hours ago -
Ahead of feared Rafah invasion, Palestinians mourn bombardment dead
2 hours ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains cause floods, landslides: PM
2 hours ago -
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
2 hours ago -
Chinese defense minister to attend SCO meeting in Kazakhstan
2 hours ago