Around 50 protesters recently participated in a rally dressed like William Shakespeare at the Sadler's Wells Theater in London.
The Musicians' Union (MU) organized the demonstration to protest the planned dissolution of the Northern Ballet's orchestra in favor of pre-recorded music starting in July.
The protest's Shakespeare theme was about Northern Ballet's upcoming 'Romeo and Juliet,' which will be the company's first production without live music. Protesters carried posters reading "O Live Music, Where Art Thou?" and "Don't let live music come to a Bard end."
The Northern Ballet Sinfonia petition to maintain Northern Ballet has now received more than 19,000 signatures.
Northern Ballet Sinfonia, the company's core group of musicians, has been advocating for the protection of their employment and increased public awareness of their plight since the fall. Since the musicians are self-employed, unlike other Northern Ballet staff members, these changes impact their job security, with some now dependent on food banks.
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, said that the protest is a statement that they will continue applying pressure until Northern Ballet and Arts Council England agree a realistic funding solution that protects jobs and keeps live music at the heart of Northern Ballet productions.
Pohl added, "Musicians' livelihoods are on the line - with our data showing that musicians, on average, make £20,000 a year, you can imagine that any negative impact on this income is felt very heavily. It impacts their ability to provide for themselves, their families, and their capacity to invest in their art."
Furthermore, she claimed that they fear this cut is a slippery slope, and a recording used in place of the company's orchestra is a precedent their members will not tolerate.
She continued that with a general election announced, this is a key moment for them to make their case and ensure the arts are prioritized in any new government's recovery plan.
