LONDON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A veteran ballet promoter has filed a lawsuit against London's O2 Arena, alleging that the venue failed to properly compensate him for a production of the Nutcracker.
The production, staged last December by the Birmingham Royal Ballet were hailed in the press as a 'brave attempt to bring ballet to the masses' but proved to be a financial failure.
According to the Telegraph, impresario Victor Hochhauser has filed suit against the owners of the O2 Arena, Ansco Arena, seeking more than £338,000.
"I have worked in this business for the past 60 years and I have never had any disputes," Hochhauser told the Telegraph. "I have never been to court in my life, not even as a witness. All I want is the money I am owed by them – not a penny more and not a penny less."
According to Hochhauser, Ansco is attempting to charge him for venue costs of £324,000 without providing documentation or invoices.
Hochhauser also alleges that his own expenses totaled £975,000 but Ansco has only paid £355,000, despite collecting income of £674,000.
A spokesman for the O2 told the Telegraph: "We were surprised to receive this claim, but we are confident that this matter will be brought to a satisfactory resolution for the O2." – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
