English National Ballet «must investigate abuse claims»

English National Ballet ‘has lost a third of its dancers in two years’ amid claims of abusive and hostile working environment and tensions over affair between director and her leading man.

• Dancers say Tamara Rojo, the artistic director, responsible for the hostile culture.
• Complaints made about Ms Rojo, 43, and her romance with Isaac Hernandez, 27.
• The senior dancer is 16 years her junior and staff say it is a conflict of interests.

English National Ballet has ‘lost a third of its dancers in two years’ amid complaints of verbal abuse and a hostile working environment.

Former dancers felt pressured to work while injured and claimed their complaints fell on deaf ears when they reported it to management, according to The Times.

Sources said the dancers held Tamara Rojo, the artistic director, responsible for the company’s culture. English National Ballet has ‘lost a third of its dancers in two years’ amid complaints of verbal abuse and a hostile working environment. Former dancers felt pressured to work while injured and claimed their complaints fell on deaf ears when they reported it to management, according to The Times.

Sources said the dancers held Tamara Rojo, the artistic director, responsible for the company’s culture.

Management was made aware of disgruntlement within the organisation and concerns about the relationship between Ms Rojo, 43, and Hernández, 27, as revealed in documents seen by The Times. Their relationship ‘changed the dynamics of the company — and not for the better,’ one source said. ‘That was one of the reasons several people left.’ Several other people also confirmed that this was a factor in their decisions to resign.

There are several examples of relationships within British cultural organisations that could potentially cause a conflict of interest.

At Glyndebourne the executive chairman Gus Christie is married to Danielle de Niese who often appears in productions.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s artistic director Gregory Doran, is wedded to Sir Antony Sher, who is one of the country’s top Shakespearean actors and frequently has star roles in plays.

One source said ‘there was nothing reported back about the concerns written down about the management issue’.

In a statement, ENB said that it had worked with Ms Rojo to ‘implement improvements’ for dancers and employees.

‘Recently these have included significantly increased medical provisions, such as access to sports scientists and psychologists, nutritionists and ice bath facilities; clearer and more generous reporting lines for dancers and more training for their managers.

‘We take the safety and wellbeing of our dancers and everyone who works with us extremely seriously. We are committed to providing a safe environment, free of harassment and bullying of any sort, and respond to any specific concerns that are raised,’ ENB told The Times.

By Connor Boyd For Mailonline
Published: 13:24 GMT, 27 January 2018.
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