Associated Press reports:
Opera that depicts Bush, Blair dancing in underwear is canceledThough Bush’s buddy Silvio Berliusconi lost the Italian elections, unfortunately, it seems some of his spirit is still alive in Italy …Last update: December 29, 2006 – 9:15 AM
ROME — La Scala opera house has canceled a production of Bernstein’s “Candide‘’ that includes a scene with actors dancing in underwear while wearing masks of world leaders including President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
La Scala said in a statement that the decision was made after artistic director Stephane Lissner watched a performance Tuesday at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, where the new production is being staged through the end of December.
The opera, scheduled for nine performances in June and July, “was not in line with La Scala’s artistic program,'’ the theater said in a statement Thursday night. It did not elaborate.
In the production directed by Robert Carsen of Canada, actors wear masks of Blair, Bush, former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin as they dance in their underwear, wearing ties featuring their national flags.
Blair’s policy to be Bush’s poodle: here.
Blair as Bush’s 9/11 card poodle: here.
The Downing Street minutes: here.
