Dancers strike at Paris Opera over preparation time dispute

In France, the Opéra National de Paris is facing significant turmoil as dancers have initiated a strike, resulting in the cancellation of several performances. On December 5, 2023, the ballet 'Paquita,' a challenging classical production revived in 2001, was set to commence its run at the Opéra Bastille, concomitantly with the sold-out shows of 'Play,' choreographed by Alexander Ekman, at Palais Garnier. However, shortly after the premiere of 'Paquita,' the strike began, leading to multiple performance cancellations. The situation escalated, with the management canceling shows after dancers refused to perform due to insufficient preparation time, leading to an alarming financial impact. By December 9, five performances had been canceled, costing the Opera approximately €150,000 for 'Play' and €260,000 for 'Paquita,' citing the unresponsiveness of management regarding the dancers' concerns about their readiness times. The strikes erupted from a long-standing issue that had been developing since February 2023. Dancers voiced their need for an adequate preparation period that includes time for hair, makeup, and warm-up—conditions they argued were not manageable within the designated 30 minutes before shows. The dancers, numbering about 95 involved in 'Paquita,' collectively chose to adhere strictly to the stipulated call-out times, believing that a labor dispute had emerged due to their demands for better consideration of their physical and preparatory needs before performances. Following the cancellations, members of the dancers' union expressed their frustration, noting that management had previously shown a lack of engagement with their requests. The atmosphere during the strike has been tense, with performers insisting on their right to address audiences and explain the situation, a request denied by the management. Press releases from the dancers highlighted the precariousness of their situation, as strikes held the promise of crippling the company’s financial stability during what is typically a lucrative holiday season. At the time, many of the dancers took to social media to express their discontent regarding the ongoing negotiations and the Opera's failure to respond to their appeals. As the uncertainty around the strikes continues, the Paris Opera faces a challenging conclusion to the year, historically a period of high ticket sales and audience turnout. With ongoing tension, the employees have signaled a commitment to pursue their demands vigorously as they navigate these unprecedented challenges in their artistic and financial lives.