THE Russian National Ballet, set to tour Scotland in the autumn, has asked venues to advertise its performances under a different name.
The company has rebranded as the National Ballet in the wake of the Ukraine crisis but as the Sunday National went to press, venues were still selling tickets for performances of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty under the old name.
However, Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre, Stirling’s Albert Halls and Hamilton Town House have suspended sales and the Caird Halls in Dundee, along with venues south of the Border, have cancelled their performances.
The Russian National Ballet name had been used for more than 20 years by Amande Concerts but the branding was dropped after Russia invaded Ukraine. In a letter to venues, the company stated: “In light of the current situation, Amande Concerts Ltd, the owner of the brand name urges you to remove the brand name ‘Russian National Ballet’ from all marketing media and replace this with ‘National Ballet’.”
READ MORE: Russian State Ballet's Edinburgh Playhouse show cancelled after Ukraine invasion
The statement said the company was based in England and did not receive any public or commercial money from Russian organisations.
“We understand the potential for confusion this name causes, but there is no link between Amande Concerts to the Russian ‘state’ as a political entity,” said the company.
It added: “The ‘Russian National Ballet’ is a UK registered trademark that has been used in the same context as, for example, English National Ballet. The brand name only relates to the geographical location of the performing theatres.”
The statement condemned the violence in Ukraine, adding that “arts and politics are not connected”.
It said the brand had acted as “an umbrella for the presentation of artists of many different nationalities that have graduated from artistic institutions in Russia and countries formerly part of the Soviet Union”.
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) which is responsible for Hamilton Town House said ticket sales were being suspended until there was “clear evidence” there was no link between the company and the Russian state.
“Neither SLLC nor South Lanarkshire Council will allow any organisation linked to the states of Russia or Belarus to participate in activities in our premises,” they said. “We share with our residents and customers an utter repugnance over the invasion of Ukraine and the barbaric treatment of that European democracy and its innocent civilians.
“Indeed, Hamilton Town House is currently lit in the Ukrainian colours at night as a sign of our support. The Ukrainian flag also flies at the council’s headquarters and our elected members unanimously agreed earlier this month to send a letter to the Russian Federation’s Consul General to condemn his country’s illegal actions.
“Because of our staunch support for, and sympathy with, the people of Ukraine, we have therefore suspended ticket sales for these performances until the production company can provide us with clear, unambiguous evidence that it has no connection with Russia or Belarus.”
THE chief executive of Ayr Gaiety, Jeremy Wyatt, said the company had brought some “great shows” to the theatre in the past, “with some very talented performers”.
“At present of course we’d be very reluctant to showcase any tours that were actually from Russia,” he said.
READ MORE: Biffy Clyro pull out of Russian Park Live Festival in Moscow following invasion of Ukraine
“However, the company itself is based in England and tells us they have no funding from any country, and have performers from many.
“Given the many challenges, it’s possible the tour won’t go ahead and we know that a number of theatres have cancelled tour dates coming up soon already. But as the company is working to demonstrate more clearly they have no connection to the Russian state, and as the tour doesn’t visit us until autumn, we are waiting to see what happens.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that ticket sales have been suspended for the Russian State Ballet production of Swan Lake at the Albert Halls in October 2022 in light of the situation in Ukraine. We are currently in discussions with the promoter and will update customers as soon as possible.”
When we went to press, tickets were still on sale under the company’s original name at the Alhambra in Dunfermline, Perth Concert Hall and Rothes Halls, Glenrothes. The venues were contacted for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here