Wolverhampton theatre cancels Russian ballet show as Ukraine invasion continues

The ballet company was due to perform Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker at the city's theatre from Monday, February 28, to Wednesday, March 2, despite calls for the shows to be axed after Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Thursday.

Earlier this week the Grand Theatre said the shows were "continuing as planned" amid the threat of protest outside from people showing their support for Ukraine.

However the theatre announced a U-turn on Saturday morning, saying the management and board of trustees had decided to cancel the ballet company's performances after "discussions and consultations between management, producers, and agents" since 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," the Grand Theatre said in a statement.

"Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is a charity which works extensively within the whole community, working with everyone."

Bosses have said those with tickets will receive a full refund, but ask people not to contact the theatre and to wait to hear from the theatre within the next 14 days.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday morning, with heavy fighting in the country in the days since as troops advance towards the capital of Kyiv.

Earlier this week Greg Kowalczuk, a retired maintenance manager whose father came to England from Ukraine after the Second World War in 1948, said he had requested the performances to be cancelled.

Mr Kowalczuk, 56, said he emailed the Grand Theatre to ask how it could "in all honesty and integrity allow the Russian Siberian State Ballet to perform on the stage after the aggression and act of war from the country they are representing had been inflicted on the Ukrainian nation".

Mr Kowalczuk had promised blow whistles, wave the Ukraine flag and wear his nation costume outside the theatre if the shows went ahead.

He said cancelling the shows was good news as it was the right moral decision.

"The Grand Theatre have made the right decision and the moral decision and not put shame on Wolverhampton," he said.

"I know it was a difficult decision for the Grand as it has been closed for so long and it was hard to cancel one of the biggest ticket sellers, but everything has happened in such a short amount of time as we didn't know Russia would invade on Tuesday.

"However, if you want something done, you shouldn't have to wait two days for it, you want it immediately, so my protest is my little bit to stop money going back into the Russian state and supports the efforts by many others."

Others had also called for the shows to be cancelled.

Bradmore resident Elizabeth Jones said: "I am astonished that Wolverhampton Grand Theatre are continuing to stage Russian ballet next week.

"This will bring shame on the theatre and shame on the city. It's showing disrespect for the large Ukrainian community."

MPs had also expressed concern, with Conservative MP for Wolverhampton North East, Jane Stevenson saying she was raising "Russian-linked cultural and sporting events with the Secretary of State [for Culture, Media and Sport] Nadine Dorries".

Having heard about the cancellation, Ms Stevenson took to Facebook to offer her own comment.

She said: "This is the right decision from The Grand Theatre.

"We must stand with Ukraine and our local Ukrainian community.

"We have also seen the Royal Opera House cancel Russian Ballet performances.

"Let's remember the significant financial hit of cancelling these shows for our wonderful Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. We can back their decision by supporting their other shows."

Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East Pat McFadden and Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West Stuart Anderson also said the cancellation was the right thing to do.

Mr McFadden said: "I think it's the right decision and given the terrible events in Ukraine and Russia's awful aggression in Ukraine, the theatre could not carry on with business as usual.

"With the other financial sanctions and measures being taken, such as the Champions League final being moved from St Petersburg to Paris, I just didn't see how they could have gone ahead with the ballet performing."

Mr Anderson said: "I think it's the right decision. Our issues are not against the Russian people, but against Vladimir Putin and what he has done, so we need to be careful that this does not escalate into hatred for Russian people.

"I'm also aware of the large Ukrainian population and support we have in Wolverhampton and have had a lot of residents write to me about the Grand and how it is a loved institute, so I understand how difficult it is for them as I do a lot of work with them.

"I do believe this is the right decision because we are a culturally diverse community and what's going on in Ukraine right now is horrific."

In a statement sent to the Express & Star earlier this week, the Grand Theatre said the ballet company had made an annual visit to the UK "for many years", adding: "Our performances are scheduled to go ahead, though we are aware that recent events have of course focussed attention on the ballet in an unprecedented way.

"If individuals or groups wish to protest peacefully, they have a democratic right to do so in accordance with the law.

"We remain in contact with the tour promoter and currently understand that the tour, including our contracted dates, is continuing as planned."

However the theatre has now confirmed all shows are cancelled in Wolverhampton.