Chalamet thanked by Royal Ballet and Opera boss for boosting ticket sales
Chalamet Thumbs Up for Royal Ballet and Opera’s Sales Surge
Alex Beard, the head of the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), expressed gratitude toward Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet for sparking a surge in ticket sales for the London-based institution. Beard’s remarks followed Chalamet’s earlier comments that seemed to downplay the relevance of ballet and opera. The actor’s statement, which suggested “nobody cares anymore” about these art forms, generated significant public discussion.
“We didn’t want to react with a stiff, formal response to Timothée,” Beard remarked in an interview with The Times. “Instead, we said, ‘Take a look at what we’re up to, pal’—like highlighting that our biggest audience group is between 20 and 30 years old.”
Chalamet’s comments, made in February during a conversation with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas, centered on efforts to sustain cinema. “I don’t want to be tied to ballet or opera if it feels like no one is interested in keeping them alive,” he stated. But he swiftly clarified, showing awareness of the potential tone of his words: “All respect to the ballet and opera folks out there.”
While some critics condemned the remarks, others viewed them as a chance to generate buzz. The Seattle Opera capitalized on the conversation, running a targeted campaign for an upcoming Carmen performance. They encouraged buyers to apply the promo code “TIMOTHEE” for discounts, even inviting Chalamet to use it himself.
Beard also addressed recent pricing changes during an interview as the RBO began its 14th season at Covent Garden. “Our pricing isn’t full-on dynamic pricing,” he explained. “We keep lower tiers steady and limit how high top prices can go. It’s not the same as the full Oasis experience.”
He emphasized that adjusting top-tier prices could help maintain affordability for the rest of the audience. “It’s a way to stabilize lower costs,” Beard noted, underscoring the strategic intent behind the policy shift.
