Top ballet choreographer suspended over sex claims
AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED choreographer has been suspended by the Royal Ballet Company amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Artist in Residence Liam Scarlett, 33, is being investigated over claims of sexual misconduct involving students, including that he encouraged them to send him naked photographs, made inappropriate comments, touched their bodies inappropriately and walked in on them while they were changing.
The inquiry has not yet concluded and it is understood that no findings have been made against Mr Scarlett.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the ballet world, with Australia’s Queensland Ballet among those to cut ties with Mr Scarlett, cancelling a forthcoming run of his adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons.
In a statement, the Royal Opera House, which is home to the Royal Ballet Company, said: “We were made aware of allegations relating to Liam Scarlett in August 2019.
“The individual was immediately suspended and an independent disciplinary investigation opened.
“The Royal Ballet Company has a code of conduct in place to ensure staff and visiting artists are always supported.
“As the process is still ongoing, and as a duty of care to staff and artists, we are unable to comment further until the matter has been concluded.”
Mr Scarlett joined the Royal Ballet Company in 2006 and retired from dancing in 2012 to focus on choreography.
The Queensland Ballet company said it had “suspended all future engagements with Liam Scarlett pending the results of that investigation.
“This includes the 2020 Melbourne tour of Dangerous Liaisons. QB is working closely with Arts Centre Melbourne on a possible alternative.
“Queensland Ballet has a strong ethos surrounding wellbeing in the arts and is committed to the provision and maintenance of a healthy and safe environment for all.
“And there is a code of conduct in place to ensure the entire QB community are always supported in order to achieve this.
“As the investigation in the UK is ongoing, and as a duty of care to all involved, we are unable to comment further.”
The Royal Ballet’s revival of Mr Scarlett’s Swan Lake is due to open in March for a sold-out run with the website describing his choreography as breathing new life into the production.