Key members of the Khmelnitsky Orchestra, a renowned Ukrainian state orchestra, were refused visas to play a series of concerts in the UK this month, resulting in a costly and reputational debacle for the promoter. The orchestra was scheduled to tour the UK with two shows: The Magical Music of Harry Potter, and The Music From the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Rings of Power, which had been promoted on the UK government website as an example of British-Ukrainian relations.
The promoter, Star Entertainment, accused the UK government of hypocrisy, as it had previously hailed the orchestra’s performance of the Harry Potter show in Belgium last year as “an incredible honour to have such an iconic part of British culture being performed by a Ukrainian orchestra.” Star Entertainment’s CEO, Jaka Bizilj, known for his work with Richard Curtis and Bob Geldof, called on the culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, to step down if artists continue to be treated in such a manner, stating that the immigration difficulties faced by foreign artists damage UK citizens, culture, and relations with Europe.
The issue of post-Brexit red tape has resulted in an increasing number of overseas artists struggling to enter the UK, with Trigger Cut, a German noise rock band, being turned away at Calais recently after telling border guards they had day jobs unrelated to music. Bizilj argued that those responsible for cutting off artists and culture from the UK should be held accountable, as bands, musicians, and orchestras may avoid coming to the UK due to the risk of being denied entry.
The Ukrainian orchestra was supposed to begin its UK tour with a show in Portsmouth on April 1st, but key members, including the conductor and four first violins, had not received visas even a day before the scheduled performance. They ended up being stuck in Paris for a week, waiting for the British embassy to issue visas, and were then informed that they needed to pay €15,000 for emergency visas. Despite Star Entertainment’s efforts to obtain an explanation from the British embassy, the visas were only issued after the tour had already started, causing disruptions to the concerts in Portsmouth, the Lowry in Salford, and York Barbican.
The Portsmouth show proceeded with UK-based musicians who were hastily drafted in to sight-read the music, but they were unable to perform the full program. As a result, many audience members demanded refunds, even though the substitute ensemble received standing ovations, according to Bizilj. The Lowry show had to be postponed to 2024, and the York concert was rescheduled for later this month. Bizilj estimates that the ordeal has cost the company €100,000 in fees, hotel costs, and reputational damage.
A spokesperson for the UK government stated that musicians and performers are valued and important contributors to UK culture, and that the country offers a dedicated immigration route for creative workers. However, all visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with immigration rules. The government also acknowledged delays in visa processing and expressed commitment to identifying and addressing such issues to improve the back-office function and capability.
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