Eco activists interrupted a major ballet production to accuse the theatre of taking a bank's "dirty money".
Fossil Free London (FFL) protesters interrupted a ballet performance of Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet at Sadler's Wells theatre, in Rosebury Avenue, Clerkenwell, on Thursday (August 31).
Five people climbed onstage just after the interval holding a banner reading “Drop Barclays Sponsorship”, while two more held placards and chanted from the wings.
Amid a mix of cheers and boos, they remained on stage chanting “oily money out” for five to ten minutes, before being removed by security guards.
FFL says Barclays, which sponsors Sadler's Wells, has attracted criticism over its ongoing funding of new oil and gas projects.
The group claims it has invested over $190 billion in fossil fuels since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2016.
The bank also invests in Equinor, the oil company behind the Rosebank oil field, which is currently being considered for approval.
Fossil Free London says it is targeting oil companies and their financiers in London, culminating in a three-day action against the Oil & Money summit in October.
Fossil Free London spokesperson Joanna Warrington said: “Like doomed star-crossed lovers, Barclays and Sadlers Wells are trapped in a deadly romance as they exchange money for social acceptance, except in this version, after the worst effects of climate breakdown ricochet across the world, we all die.
"By taking their dirty money, Sadlers Wells’ is helping Barclays to launder its dirty image and is complicit in their climate-wrecking investments. It’s time to cut oily money out of the arts.”
“Sadler’s Wells Theatre was targeted by a protest during a performance of the sell out season of Romeo and Juliet on August 31. Protesters were promptly ejected and the performance successfully restarted to audience cheers.
A spokesperson for Sadler’s Wells said: "We respect the right of individuals to air views on these matters, but a disruption to dedicated musicians and young dancers at an eagerly awaited performance during this sell-out run of Romeo and Juliet is wholly unacceptable, and we are supporting police to investigate the matter.”
A Barclays spokesperson said: “We believe that Barclays can make the greatest difference as a bank by working with customers and clients as they transition to a low-carbon business model, focussing on facilitating the finance needed to change business practices and scale new green technologies.
"This includes many oil and gas companies that are critical to the transition, and have committed significant resources and expertise to renewable energy. Where companies are unwilling to reduce their emissions consistent with internationally accepted pathways, they may find it difficult to access financing, including from Barclays."
The banking giant said "addressing climate change is an urgent and complex challenge".
They added: "We are using our entire franchise to support new green technologies and infrastructure projects that will build up low-carbon capacity and capability, having provided £99bn of green finance since 2018."
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