The Bolshoi drops "Nureyev" ballet following "LGBT Propaganda" law

Russia's Bolshoi Theatre has removed a contemporary ballet about the legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev from its repertoire after the expansion of a ban on "LGBT propaganda".

A law passed in November 2021 widened an existing prohibition on materials deemed to promote an LGBT lifestyle and also restricted the "demonstration" of LGBTQI+ behaviour.

The ballet, choreographed by Kirill Serebrennikov, explores Nureyev's relationships with men after his defection from the Soviet Union in 1961.

The law makes any portrayal of homosexuality almost impossible. The ballet has had a troubled history in Russia, and performances scheduled for 2022 were abruptly cancelled.

Kirill Serebrennikov, one of Russia's leading film, theatre and television directors, expressed his frustration with the law on his Telegram channel, calling it a "criminal 'law.'"