Russian State Ballet show cancelled at short notice by Northampton theatre over Ukraine invasion

A performance by The Russian State Ballet in Northampton has been cancelled at short notice because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The Royal & Derngate Theatre was due to host performances of The Nutcracker on Saturday.

However, shortly before the show was about to start, the theatre tweeted: "Given the situation in Ukraine, Royal & Derngate have taken the decision to cancel today’s performances of The Russian State Ballet." 

The theatre added: "All customers who have purchased tickets for the ballet will receive a full refund and be contacted by the venue’s box office team over the next 10 days. They ask that you do not contact them at this time.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this causes and for this short notice in this announcement."

The show was due to be performed by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia and The Russian State Ballet Orchestra at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.

Some theatre-goers were frustrated by the decision. On Twitter one person replied: "Absolutely ridiculous that you have cancelled this literally as people are waiting for the show to start, why haven’t you done this days ago?"

However there was also support for the decision. One Twitter user said: "Brilliant brilliant well done we need to stand UNITED."

The MP for Mid Bedfordshire Nadine Dorries called on other venues to take similar action.

She tweeted: "Welcome the move to cancel performances from The Russian State Ballet of Siberia in Wolverhampton, Northampton and Peterborough. "We can’t allow representatives of the Russian state to continue performing. I call on other venues to take action and stand by the people of Ukraine."

The New Theatre in Peterborough said it had cancelled performances byThe Russian State Ballet of Siberia scheduled for 22nd and 23rd March.