Venue pulls ‘insensitive’ ballet after Hindu anger
CARDIFF’S New Theatre has announced changes to a production being staged there after claims it was “culturally insensitive”.
It comes afer the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, called for the venue to remove its planned performances of ballet La Bayadere.
He said the theatre in Wales’ capital should not be promoting the production, which he has said appropriates Hindu traditions.
In a statement released from the US state of Nevada, he suggested the “deeply problematic” ballet was a belittling of a rich civilisation, exhibiting 19th-century “orientalist” attitudes.
Mr Zed has also urged the New Theatre to apologise for staging the ballet for audiences.
The theatre has since said that La Bayadere would no longer be performed there.
Mr Zed’s statement said: “It was highly irresponsible for an establishment like New Theatre Cardiff to allow such a ballet which had been blamed for patronising flawed mishmash of orientalist stereotypes, dehumanising cultural portrayal and misrepresentation, offensive and degrading elements, needless appropriation of cultural motifs, essentialism, shallow exoticism, caricaturing, etc.
“New Theatre Cardiff could do better than this to serve its diverse stakeholders.
“Like many others, Hindus also consider ballet as one of the revered art forms which offers richness and depth.
“But we are well into 21st century now, and outdated La Bayadere, which was first presented in St Petersburg (Russia) in 1877, is long overdue for permanent retirement from the world stage.”
He suggested that the New Theatre Cardiff should re-evaluate its systems and send staff for cultural “sensitivity” training.
A New Theatre spokesperson said in response: “Following contact from Rajan Zed earlier today, New Theatre Cardiff immediately contacted the producer of the production, which featured this work as part of a mixed programme.
“They responded to us immediately, to say, ‘La Bayadere is performed at the world’s most prestigious venues and the International Classic Ballet Theatre was looking forward to presenting an excerpt (Kingdom of the Shades) during its Glorious Gala in the UK.
“However, it was never the intention to cause offence to any community and, in light of the points raised by Rajan Zed, the company will find an alternative piece to open their Gala which visits New Theatre Cardiff on January 17 and 18.”
The spokesperson added: “New Theatre Cardiff never intended to cause offence by hosting this production and we thank Rajan Zed for bringing it to our attention.”