Ballet directors quit after funding ultimatum

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The entire board of Scottish Ballet yesterday agreed to quit in line with an ultimatum to the cash-strapped company from the Scottish Arts Council.

The move was agreed at a board meeting in Glasgow where the 10 directors, including chairman Oona Ivory agreed to stand down. Artistic director Galina Samsova is also to go, with agreement having been reached on the termination of her contract "with immediate effect", but has offered to give advice for six months, the company said. Ms Ivory said the directors saw no alternative but to indicate a "willingness to stand down", in order to secure funding to continue the "great traditions" of the dancers, musicians and staff. "However we are determined that this process should be conducted with maximum advantage to the company, and therefore the board is committed to working towards a smooth handover to the as yet unidentified new board," she said.

No immediate comment was available from the Scottish Arts Council, which last Thursday demanded the resignation of the board and a restructuring, as the price of getting its grant. A new board is expected to be appointed by the end of the week.