Quick links
Useful resources
Sign up to our newsletter
Be the first to hear about news, special offers and more...
Posted on August 13, 2013
Sergei Filin, the director of the Bolshoi Ballet, appeared on stage after last night’s performance of Jewels at the Royal Opera House, London. Filin was injured in an acid attack in January. He has had many operations in an attempt to rescue his sight.
At Monday’s curtain call, leading dancers Olga Smirnova (pictured) and Semyon Chudin rushed to the wings and brought on Filin, to huge cheers from the audience. Filin moved easily, acknowledging the audience and his company with low bows, but was wearing dark glasses. His sight is clearly limited, and the company on stage were protective of him. Chudin guided him across the stage, and at one point a hand reached from the wings, ready to catch Filin if he moved too close to the edge of the stage.
Nevertheless, Filin looked happy to be with his dancers, and was greeted with huge cheers.
The Bolshoi Ballet’s London season continues until August 17.
Picture: Sergei Filin with dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet following the performance of Diamonds. Photograph: Marc Haegeman / Bolshoi Theatre.