Premium Content:

Bolshoi denies Nureyev ballet delayed because of gay content

The director of Russia’s famous Bolshoi Theatre has furiously denied rumours that the shock cancellation of a ballet about Russia’s most famous dancer, Rudolph Nureyev, was because of the production’s gay content.

The eagerly anticipated new ballet Nureyev was due to open tonight but just days ahead of the event the theatre announced the show would be postponed until May 2018.

- Advertisement -

Nuryev defected to the west in 1961. It was the first defection of a soviet artist at the height of the cold war, and it caused an international sensation.

The dancer went on to tour the world, appearing in hundreds of ballets and gaining international acclaim as the world’s greatest dancer. He also became a celebrated choreographer.

Vladimir Urin, the general director of The Bolshoi told reporters that the postponement was simply due to artistic reasons ans the show would proceed as planned just at a later date.

The director said the theatre would experience a damage to their reputation by cancelling the highly anticipated work but they were committed to delivering a high quality production.  Urin was adamant that the rumours that the show’s inclusion of Nureyev’s sexuality had not led to its postponement.

It has been suggested that the production was going to address Nureyev’s sexuality and included giant naked images of the late dancer.

Over the last several years Russia’s LGBT community has increasingly been forced underground after the government brought in laws to stop ‘gay propaganda’.

Nureyev passed away in 1993 at the age of 54 from an AIDS related illness.  At is funeral white lilies and ballet shoes were thrown into his grave.

OIP Staff, image by Allan Warren published under a Creative Commons licence. 


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.

Walkern Wirin: Boorloo Blak Pride will be part of PrideFEST 2025

An event to honour all LGBTIQA+ First Nations people, alongside their supportive friends and family.

Newsletter

Don't miss

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.

Walkern Wirin: Boorloo Blak Pride will be part of PrideFEST 2025

An event to honour all LGBTIQA+ First Nations people, alongside their supportive friends and family.

Associate Professor Michelle Telfer nominated for Human Rights Award

See all the nominees for the 2025 Human Rights Awards.

City of Subiaco to help local creatives build their careers

Elise Wilson and Sophie Minissale will be sponsored to attend the BANDWIDTH Amplify program.

WA government says its still progressing plan to address conversion therapy

Roger Cook first began tackling the issue as Health Minister in 2017.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth to step down

Ruth has lead the Victorian based organisation for 12 years.