Rojo: Brexit rules would have stopped me coming to Britain

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET chief Tamara Rojo says Brexit rules mean she could “never have come” to the UK today. “I didn’t have a higher degree. A ballet salary is lower than the minimum requisite,” said Rojo, who is Spanish and moved to the UK at 22. “I didn’t study English so I couldn’t pass the visa qualifications”.

Rojo, who is artistic director and a lead dancer with the ENB, told The Stage the pandemic had “somewhat camouflaged” the effect on the arts, but that restrictions on freedom of movement would soon have a “terrible impact” on touring and performing once the disruption caused by Covid had eased. Union Equity told us: “Performers and creatives… need the ability to easily work and travel across the EU and internationally in order to earn a sustainable living.” Let’s hope it’s not farewell to the Rojos of the future.