Letter: Temperature or temperament?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: On Monday evening, my wife and I attended the Palace Theatre in Manchester, hoping to see a performance of The Nutcracker performed by the English National Ballet. At 8.14pm the performance was cancelled, because the temperature on stage was 'two degrees below what is considered safe to dance' (64F instead of 66F). If the dancers expected sympathy, they certainly did not get it from the capacity audience.
My wife, a professional dancer for many years, could not control her laughter. She retired from active dancing only eight years ago, but well remembers the freezing temperatures of rehearsal rooms, the arctic conditions of dressing rooms and the draughts blowing across stages. When it was cold, she says, you spent more time in warm-up exercises. She would have considered it luxurious to be able to perform with an ambient stage temperature around 60F.
What the audience witnessed at the Palace Theatre was a dance company that, secure with its grants and sponsorship deals, treated the paying members of the public with disdain. Its behaviour was an example of 'artistic temperament' at its worst. It must be asked whether this company is fit to attract public funding.
Yours sincerely,
RAYMOND BIGGS
Lostock, Greater Manchester
30 November
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments