Stage Of The Royal Ballet And Opera
Royal Ballet and Opera chief executive Alex Beard has thanked Timothée Chalamet, claiming his statement earlier this year, that no-one cares about ballet or opera anymore, has boosted the company’s ticket sales.
Chalamet had been talking to Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas in February about efforts to preserve cinema when he dismissed the two arts forms, saying, "I don't want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.'"
The comments triggered a backlash from opera houses, ballet companies and the performing arts world, but have also been an excellent promotional opportunity.
Alex Beard told The Times, that Chalamet's statement produced a "fantastic" public reaction.
"We simply said 'Take a look at what we're doing, mate' - for instance, the fact that the largest portion of our audience by age is 20 to 30-year-olds.
"And you know what? Our post got two-and-a-half million engagements and half a million shares, just on Instagram. And our ticket sales got an immediate boost. So cheers, Timmy!"
Chalamet's remarks quickly gained attention online and started a wider conversation about how classical art forms are viewed today. What followed was a wave of support from dancers, audiences and arts organisations, many of whom were keen to push back against the idea that ballet has lost its place in modern culture.
Across the UK, organisations including the Royal Ballet and Opera joined the conversation, highlighting the continued relevence and excitement around ballet and live performance.
Dancers, choreographers and fans took to social media to share performances, rehersal footage and personal reflections on why ballet continues to inspire them. Many also pointed out that audiences today are becoming more diverse and curious about dance in all its forms.
For us at One Dance UK, the moment has highlighted something important. The strength and passion of the dance community is clear, and the response from artists and audiences shows that ballet and dance more broadly still really resonantes with people.
If anything, the conversation has reminded people just how relevent dance still is today, sparking curiosity, debate and renewed appreciation for the art form.