Serebrennikov's "Nureyev" "Postponed"

The postponement - or is it the banning? - of Kirill Serebrennikov's latest production, a ballet titled Nureyev at the Bolshoi Theater, keeps the spotlight on this popular but beleaguered director. This time he appears to have crossed swords - figuratively speaking - with the odious Russian Minister of Culture. Don't you love that Medinsky equates nude actors on stage with "propaganda of a gay lifestyle"? But that's Medinsky and that's Russia for you these days.

Here is the translation of an account from Meduza. I take the photo from Dp.ru. The postponement had been announced after a single run-through on July 8.

The premiere of Kirill Serebrennikov's ballet "Nureyev" was postponed at the Bolshoi Theater on the direct order of Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of Russia. This is reported by TASS with reference to a source close to the ministry.

According to the source, Medinsky found out in the production propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations. "According to Serebrennikov, most of the actors were supposed to perform their roles nude," the source said. The set design for the production was to be a photograph of Rudolf Nureyev in which he was completely nude.

The fact that the premiere was postponed because of gay propaganda was also reported by a source for Dozhd TV who is close to Russian government. According to him, the show "appeared to be a provocation."