Ballet companies cancel shows by star choreographer during probe into claims of sexual misconduct

Ballet companies have been cancelling shows featuring the work by the Royal Ballet’s star choreographer as he is investigated over claims of sexual misconduct.

Liam Scarlett, 33, has been suspended pending an inquiry into allegations over inappropriate behaviour with male students at the ballet school in Covent Garden, London.

The claims, which were made in August, have now prompted four ballet companies around the world to pull productions featuring his work.

The Central School of Ballet, London, and Queensland Ballet, Australia, were the first to cancel shows that featured his choreography.

The San Francisco Ballet as well as the Texas Ballet Theatre have since followed suit. 

San Francisco Ballet had previously collaborated with the Royal Ballet during a production of Mr Scarlett’s Frankenstein in 2016.

It had hoped to showcase his Hummingbird performance later this year but has since decided against it.

Mr Scarlett (pictured meeting Prince Charles at the Royal Opera House) was the youngest choreographer to have a full-length ballet commissioned by the company

Speaking to The Times, executive director Kelly Tweeddale said: ‘The decision is made out of respect for the ongoing inquiry in London… and artists of the company.’ 

Texas Ballet Theatre has also suspended all engagements that involved the choreographer including a planned production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in May which was set to be Mr Scarlett’s debut piece for the company.

The decisions have put increasing pressure on the Royal Ballet to cancel its own sold-out production of Swan Lake in March which features Mr Scarlett’s choreography. 

Independent investigators are continuing to probe claims that Mr Scarlett encouraged dancers to send naked photographs to students. 

A spokesman for the Royal Opera House, which funds the ballet, confirmed Mr Scarlett was suspended and an investigation was opened after allegations were made.  

The claims, which were made in August, have now prompted four ballet companies around the world to pull productions featuring his work. These include the San Francisco Ballet, Texas Ballet Theatre, the Central School of Ballet in London and Queensland Ballet in Australia 

He added: ‘We were made aware of allegations relating to Liam Scarlett in August 2019. 

‘The individual was immediately suspended, and an independent disciplinary investigation opened.

‘The Royal Ballet Company has a code of conduct in place to ensure staff and visiting artists are always supported. 

‘As the process is still ongoing, and as a duty of care to staff and artists, we are unable to comment further until the matter has been concluded.’

The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, the charity behind the Royal Ballet, reported the incident to the Charity Commission in October.

A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission said: ‘Charities should be places in which all people feel safe and free from harm so the behaviour that has been alleged is highly concerning. 

‘The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation reported the matter to us as a serious incident, in line with our guidance.’ 

Mr Scarlett, the celebrated artist-in-residence, was the youngest choreographer to have a full-length ballet commissioned by the company.

He has been described as ‘potentially the greatest British choreographer since Kenneth Macmillan’, the producer who launched British ballet onto the world stage for a quarter of a century.

The investigation has not yet been concluded and it is understood that no findings have currently been made against Mr Scarlett.