Paris Opera Ballet Paquita and Play performances resume

Opéra national de Paris’ Ballet performances have resumed after five shows were cancelled due to dancers’ strike.

There was no cancellation message or notice on Wednesday, 11th December 2024, prior the 8 pm-curtain ups of Paquita at Opéra Bastille and Play at Palais Garnier. Opéra national de Paris does not communicate when any shows are due to resume after a show cancellation or a series of show cancellations.

Four shows of Paquita, including the premiere, and a show of Play were cancelled since 5th December.

Ticket holders of the cancelled shows will be refunded. For more information about refunds, click here.

What were dancers protesting? There has been a longstanding dispute regarding the preparation time for the each show, the Le Monde newspaper said.

Le Monde said, citing a press release from dancers, the shows has to be cancelled “following a movement initiated since February 2023 to request a re-evaluation of the preparation time specific to all [their] artistic activities within the Opera."

Regarding the cost of the cancellations, the newspaper said, “The revenue losses, according to figures provided by the Opera, amount to €150,000 for Play and around €260,000 for the four Paquita shows.”

Paris Opera Ballet is no stranger to show cancellations due to strikes. Last year, The Nutcracker was affected by technicians’ protests as the Financial Times newspaper reported then.

In my opinion, the strike this year was short lived. There are still some tickets available for the rest of the shows of Paquita. Play by the celebrated Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman is sold out.

This is the glimpse of how the strikes were like in 2019-2020.