Italy theatre cancels show by Russian dancer Polunin

Corriere della Sera reports.

Dancer Sergey Polunin was supposed to participate in 2 ballet performances "Rasputin - Dance Drama", which were scheduled to be shown on January 28 and 29, 2023. Management of Arcimboldi theatre in Milan stated about their cancellation: "we are not talking about a decision in the cultural sphere, but about political and moral responsibility."

Shows were postponed 5 times, because the premiere of ballet was originally planned for 2019. Dance drama was postponed due to a pandemic and artist's injury.

"Cancellation of performance became necessary in agreement with the troupe in connection with sharp social and online protest against performance of the artist," Arcimboldi informed.

Sergey Polunin was born in Kherson in 1989, at the age of 13 he moved to London to study at Royal Ballet School.

Since 2012, Polunin has performed in Russian theatres and openly supported Vladimir Putin.

In 2018, he decided to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation, and from 2019 Sergey Polunin holds the position of Opera and Ballet Theatre director in occupied Sevastopol.