Tickets on-sale now, 100% of ticket sales to be donated to UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal
On Tuesday 14th June, York Theatre Royal will be hosting a very special gala performance from Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet. In the company’s first UK performance, all ticket proceeds will be donated to UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal.
Tickets are now on-sale for the special performance which will be split into two parts, under the direction of Ivan Kozlov and Ekaterina Kozlova. Firstly, a class from the company of the Kyiv City Ballet followed by excerpts from ballets such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Tom Bird, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal, personally invited the prestigious Kyiv City Ballet to perform at the theatre after learning that the company were stranded in France. The Kyiv City Ballet had been on tour in France as the war broke out in Ukraine and have resided there ever since, with it being too unsafe for them to return home to Ukraine.
City partners in York have come together to make this fundraising performance a reality, with Make It York, City of York Council and York BID supporting York Theatre Royal with organisation and logistics to bring the Kyiv City Ballet to York.
Eurostar and LNER have stepped in to arrange the company’s return travel from France to York for the fundraising performance. While Visit York members Elmbank Hotel, Malmaison, Middletons, Sandburn Hall, The Grand, The Principal and York Marriott have all offered to accommodate the Kyiv City Ballet company and crew while they’re in the city, with additional hospitality offered from City Cruises and Bettys. The company will also receive a Civic welcome at York Mansion House.
First Bus will support on the visa costs to bring the company to York, with remaining costs and company fees for the performance to be covered through corporate sponsorship.
An evening with the Kyiv City Ballet will be a special opportunity for York to publicly show its support for the citizens of Ukraine, while celebrating an incredible evening of dance. 100% of the ticket sales from the performance will go to UNICEF to support people in Ukraine, as nominated by the ballet company.
Ivan Kozlov, General Director of Kyiv City Ballet, said: “We are honoured to be performing in York and sharing our art with a British audience. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has collaborated to bring our company to the United Kingdom for the first time.”
Tom Bird, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal, said: “It is a huge honour to be hosting Kyiv City Ballet at York Theatre Royal. This is the company’s first UK appearance since their city came under attack, and we are proud that York is able to stand in solidarity with Kyiv by supporting these extraordinary dancers for this one-off visit.”
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “We are so proud of our city pulling together to bring the Kyiv City Ballet to York. This is a special opportunity to celebrate world-class performers, while raising vital funds for the people of Ukraine. The generosity of businesses and residents in York has made this possible.”
Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities, said: “In what are incredibly dark times, it has been heartening to see York’s response as the city has come together to show our support and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends here in York and in Ukraine. From donations and heart-warming signs of solidarity to housing refugees, it’s clear that we as a city are united and ready to do all we can to stand with Ukraine and its people.
“Art has a unique way of uniting people and that’s certainly what we need more now than ever. I’m grateful to all those involved for their support in setting up this amazing event. It will certainly be an emotional and wonderful evening for a crucial cause – please do consider supporting the event and charities involved in helping Ukrainians at this difficult time.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director at York BID, said: “It is always good to hear of high quality cultural offerings coming to York, but for our City to attract the Kyiv City Ballet will feel really special. Many of us feel helpless on how we can support Ukraine, but I know residents and businesses will want to show support and solidarity, as well as celebrate the visit of a world-renowned group of performers.”
Adam Wardale, Chair of Hospitality Association York (HAY) and General Manager at Middletons Hotel, said: “The members of HAY are incredibly proud to be able to offer Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet performers accommodation throughout their stay in York. This is a fantastic opportunity to support Ukraine, whilst also celebrating the arts, and I would encourage people to attend the show and show their solidarity.”
ENDS
For further information or interview requests:
Sarah Foster, Communications Manager at Make It York
Sarah.Foster@makeityork.com / 07719 105 088
NOTES TO EDITORS
Kyiv City Ballet will perform at York Theatre Royal on Tuesday 14th June at 7.30pm, 100% of ticket sales will support the people of Ukraine.
Ticket Information
Ticket prices: £15, £24, £33, £41 (100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to UNICEF, as agreed with Kyiv City Ballet)
Tickets are available from York Theatre Royal Box Office in person or on the phone 01904 623568 (Mon – Sat, 13.00 – 17.00 and until 20.00 on performance days) and online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Additional Information
Performance running time: approximately 2.5 hours
Funding Information
To make this production happen, York Theatre Royal have requested £20,000 in corporate sponsorship to cover the costs of bringing the Kyiv City Ballet to York. This includes visa costs (supported by First Bus) for the company and their performance fees.
If businesses would like to enquire about sponsoring this event, please contact eleanor.mckenna@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
100% of ticket sales will be donated to UNICEF’s Ukraine Appeal.
About Kyiv City Ballet
The Kyiv City Ballet was founded in 2014 by ActArt LLC by the director of both ActArt LLC and subsequently the Kyiv City Ballet; Ivan Kozlov. The company has over 25 ballets in its repertoire and has conducted numerous successful tours throughout Europe and Asia; France, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and the Middle East. The dancers are of the highest calibre; from the corps de ballet to the principal soloists.
https://www.kcbtheater.com/about
About Make It York
Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. The company’s remit covers leisure and business tourism, city centre management, Shambles Market and festivals and events.
Visit York is a part of Make It York and is the leisure tourism brand. Under the brand Visit York, Make It York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure visitor and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York.
About York Theatre Royal
York Theatre Royal has brought delight and fulfilment to the people of York and beyond by offering a rich and diverse programme of creative activity for over 275 years.
York Theatre Royal is one of the UK’s leading creative producers and presenters, constantly building on its reputation for producing high quality and ambitious theatre with highly regarded productions of new commissions, revivals at all scales, extraordinary site specific and large scale community shows and each year delivering a pantomime of international renown.
The theatre strives to be innovative, far-reaching and proactive in helping its entire community to live creative lives and has an engagement and participation programme that is nationally recognised and admired.
York Theatre Royal is committed to be forward-thinking and inclusive. It is a theatre at the very heart of its community and it is here for everyone.
Twitter: @YorkTheatre
Instagram: @YorkTheatreRoyal
Facebook: /YorkTheatreRoyal
