RBO Welcomes the Minister for the Creative Industries, Media and Arts
By the Royal Ballet and Opera
Tuesday 10 March 2026
The Minister for the Creative Industries, Media, and the Arts, Ian Murray MP, visited the Royal Opera House to learn more about the cultural, economic and social impact of opera and ballet.
Ahead of the first night of Barrie Kosky’s Siegfried later this month, the Minister met with the director, technical staff and an apprentice to talk about the RBO’s commitment to artistic excellence. He saw first-hand how a team of 3,000 people across the UK keep shows running on one of the busiest stages in the world.
The Minister then visited the Linbury Theatre to see preparations for the atmospheric new staging of Britten's The Turn of the Screw. He learned about the Royal Ballet and Opera’s continued commitment to innovation ahead of the launch of the new annual RBO/SHIFT festival, which this year will focus on artificial intelligence.
Ahead of The Royal Ballet’s tour to Singapore and Japan, the Minister also met Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, to discuss the Company’s role as a soft power asset for the UK. They toured ballet studios and the Healthcare Suite where the high-performing dancers receive the support they need to take to the stage with confidence.
After touring the building, the Minister took part in a roundtable with representatives from across the creative industries and the cultural sector, including leaders in theatre, opera, dance, museums and design.