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Sergei Polunin leaves Stanislavsky


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It has been reported that Sergei Polunin has abruptly walked out on the Stanislavsky, including his role in Manon which is due to open shortly. Supposedl, he will be performing as a "guest artist" from now on. The UK critics are abuzz with this new news of "Polunin's disappearing act" although no one has been able to confirm the news of his "guest artist" status. I find it disappointing and puzzling that Polunin would do this to Igor Zelensky, whom Polunin said he got along so well with

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According to Ismene Brown's recent blog post, which is linked in the Sergei Polunin thread, Moskovsky Komsomolets has reported his guest artist status, and while reports in the mainstream media can be incorrect, it is official news of his status. She summarizes, translates and comments on sources for the latest information about Polunin.

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The timing doesn't make a decision any more or less abrupt, and what is known to people in theater isn't relevant to the general audience, especially those who have bought tickets based on casting. (Although, by now, expecting to see him is more of a gamble the more he withdraws for whatever reason.) Timing is relevant to the people who are involved in the production, since it tells them how long they have to adjust to different casting.

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Any Russian fan of Polunin knew about his departure (and many non Russian too) weeks ago, because he announced that in person at a "Meet-the-Artist" venue organized by the management of the Theater with the ballet going public. What else would make his departure "less abrupt".

At МАМТ you will see Polunin in «Giselle» and «Mayerling». You will also see him at Novosibirsk («Romeo and Juliet», premiere in mid September), Mariinsky, Bolshoi (two projects, he said, he was involved), next year you will see him three times paired with Zakharova in «Giselle» at San Carlo and, even, possibly, in some project at London.

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He sells tickets. He gets publicity for the venture when he signs up. If he walks out, he gets more. That's worth it for some companies and presenters and likely not worth it for others. People reached their limit with Gelsey Kirkland, for example, but it took longer than many expected.

I've seen him once and that was enough that I'd take a chance on him if the company behind him was worth watching in rep that is worth watching without him, and there wasn't something compelling competing for my time and money.

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Given his history, I can't see any UK company wanting to hire him as a guest. I also don't think ABT would be so inclined. So other than what you named, Mathilde, I wonder how much dancing he'll really do.

I can't see any company hiring him as a guest artisit. Maybe he 's planning on making the rounds on the gala circuit (like the YAGP galas, and other similar enterprises) where he can dance two pdd's and get paid. Even if he doesn't show the gala still has plenty of other participants so his cancellation wouldn't be a big headache.

I saw him at the YAGP gala two years ago in NY and thought he was sloppy. Lack of discipline starts to show pretty quickly on a ballet dancer.

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I saw him at the YAGP gala two years ago in NY and thought he was sloppy.

Sadly that was my impression too in several of his more recent UK gala appearances. Sadly there is here still a concerted throng who is (IMHO) overly sentimental in his regard and will cheer such sloppiness regardless. In my estimation they do neither him nor the larger British ballet-going public any favours on such occasions.

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