The head of the Royal Ballet and Opera has credited Timothée Chalamet with helping drive a surge in ticket sales after the actor’s controversial comments about ballet and opera.
By Haifa Chairunisa
In an interview with The Times, RBO chief Alex Beard said Chalamet’s earlier remarks, in which he suggested that no one cares about the art forms, unexpectedly generated strong public engagement.
Beard said the institution chose not to issue a formal or defensive response and instead highlighted its own work and audience profile. He pointed to the company’s social media posts, which drew millions of interactions and shares, along with an immediate increase in ticket sales. He added, “So cheers, Timmy.”
Chalamet, an Oscar-nominated actor, faced criticism from across the performing arts sector after making the remarks during a conversation with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas in February. Speaking about efforts to preserve cinema, he said he was not interested in working in fields that needed to be kept alive, such as ballet or opera, before quickly adding his respect for those involved in the industry.
While some artists and institutions condemned the remarks, others turned them into promotional opportunities. The Seattle Opera launched a campaign tied to the controversy, offering discounted tickets for a performance of Carmen with a themed code referencing the actor.
In the same interview, Beard also addressed criticism of the RBO’s ticket pricing approach as he begins his 14th season in Covent Garden. He said the company’s model does not fully follow dynamic pricing, noting that prices remain fixed during early booking periods and that lower priced tickets are protected. He added that adjusting higher priced tickets can help keep more affordable options available.
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