Bolshoi scraps Nureyev ballet

Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre has cancelled a muchanticipated ballet about dancer Rudolf Nureyev just three days before the opening night.

Officials at the Bolshoi made the announcement, saying that today’s premiere has been cancelled.

The ballet about Nureyev, who defected from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961, was directed by Kirill Serebrennikov, known for bold productions that poke fun at Russia’s growing social conservatism.

Bolshoi director Vladimir Urin denied reports that the show had been scrapped because of its portrayal of Nureyev’s gay relationships.