People in the dance community have expressed great sorrow at the loss of Liam Scarlett, with Alexei Ratmansky – the most celebrated choreographer working today in classical dance – writing on Facebook that Scarlett’s knowledge that he had no future as a choreographer “killed him”.
Liam Scarlett in rehearsals with Queensland Ballet in 2016. Photograph © Eduardo Vieira
Ratmansky’s post reads in full:” I am shocked by the news of Liam Scarlett suicide. What a tragic loss of a rare choreographic talent. How many amazing ballets he could have created yet! After allegations of inappropriate behavior less than two years ago, all companies that he worked for removed his ballets from the rep and canceled all his future contracts. I did hear one director saying: ‘I can’t program his ballets, I’ll be eaten alive’. Liam knew he has no future as a choreographer. That killed him. It should not have happened. This cancel culture is killing, it is too much!!! Would Diaghilev, Nureyev, Robbins and countless other greats, who were not spotless, be able to work today? How is it possible that the...
As a Friend of both the Royal Ballet School and of “Covent Garden”, and thus the Royal Ballet, I am immeasurably shocked and saddened by Liam’s death.
That we have driven into such a wilderness of the soul: a gentle genius whom we nurtured, and cherished, and in whose unfolding flower of creativity we rejoiced and delighted, is a bitter indictment of our lack of humanity, for which we must find an answer.
Rest in Peace, Liam…..