 |
|
|
United Kingdom:
Visa system forces Welsh-based Russian ballet company to cancel shows
The Russian ballet company Ballet Russe based in Wales has been forced to cancel its 2009 programme and is facing an uncertain future, after failing to obtain visas for its dancers under a controversial new points-based system, wrote The Stage.
The Ballet Russe has operated out of Swansea’s Grand Theatre for 11 years. While it employs UK dancers, most of the principal roles are taken by Bolshoi and Kirov-trained Russian performers.
However, despite spending thousands of pounds on legal assistance, Ballet Russe officials have been unable to secure the return of six of their principal dancers, who had returned home to visit their families.
As a result, the company’s shows have been cancelled since February, causing it to lose box office income and forcing it to lay off ten British dancers.
Chika Temma, a director of Ballet Russe, told The Stage that the visa negotiations had taken so long, the Russian principals had found other work.
|
|
White paper on visa issues — 20 pages
UK visa report by Manifesto Club — 20 pages
|
 |
| Related reading on freemuse.org |
| Freemuse campaign: Visa issues kill music |
| In collaboration with international artists organisations Freemuse launches an investigation of visa and work permit procedures in order to influence policy makers |
| 26 November 2007 |
|
| Musicians hit by the “9/11-effect” |
| Tighter restrictions on air travel means that musical instruments are no longer allowed on the plane as carry-on baggage. This has lead to cancellations of concerts and tours |
| 11 September 2006 |
|
| New US study on cultural exchanges since September 11 |
| U.S Homeland Security and State departments are encouraged to "work together to improve the current visa situation…so it is less of a barrier for foreign visitors, artists, and scholars, and for the presenters who invite them" |
| 10 September 2004 |
|
| Threatening borders |
| Visa problems: Fortresses that Western authorities build around their riches dissuadés more and more musicians from risking discomfort and humiliation at the borders |
| 09 June 2004 |
|
| Songs of Cuba, silenced in America |
| "We may think we are isolating Cuba with our embargo and our travel restrictions, but it is we Americans who are becoming isolated," said singer-songwriter Jackson Browne on the US - Cuba visa conflict |
| 22 March 2004 |
|
| Post September 11- Freemuse conference |
| Listen to the Freemuse organized panel discussion from WOMEX 2003 on how September 11 has affected freedom of musical expression. Visa problems, threats, disrupted tours, changed play-lists, nationalistic concerts and withdrawal of covers are just a few results |
| 30 November 2003 |
|
|
|
|
