The Soviet Union has threatened to terminate the visit of the Bolshoi Ballet to London if Jewish demonstrators continue to disrupt performances and harass the dancers outside the theater. The warning came in a strong protest to the British Foreign Office following an incident last Thursday in which white mice were let loose among the audience and nails were thrown on the stage.
A spokesman for the Soviet Embassy complained of “intolerable demonstrations.” He said that the Bolshoi tour had three more weeks to run, but unless the safety and health of the dancers were guaranteed the Soviet government would end the visit. He added that “only a few” demonstrators had been arrested by the police and demanded stronger action.
A Foreign Office spokesman said “We have told the Russians that we regret the demonstrations because we want the Bolshoi to be a success.” The Soviet Embassy was also told that the British authorities will do whatever they can “to ensure that the law is not broken.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
