Insiders have claimed that the production’s portrayal of the dancer’s sexuality may have been behind the move.

In a move that has shocked the arts world, the Bolshoi Theatre has indefinitely postponed the anticipated world premiere of Nureyev, a biographical ballet of the famous Russian dancer. No official reason has been provided for the sudden cancellation, but there are rumours alleging that the production’s exploration of Nureyev’s sexuality may have been behind the move.

International critics and theatre directors had been invited to Tuesday’s premiere, but it was decided on Saturday that all performances of Nureyev would be replaced with Don Quixote, a staple of the company’s repertoire. The Bolshoi’s spokesman, Katerina Novikova, declined to comment on the last minute cancellation, with another spokesman saying the production would appear “no earlier” than the 2018/2019 season, with the upcoming season already planned. The theatre has said it will hold a press conference explaining the decision.

A number of competing accounts have been put forth – sources inside the theatre have reported that the portrayal of homosexuality was the deciding factor, while a video of the Bolshoi’s general director, Vladimir Urin, shows him informing the troupe that the premiere was called off...