Outbreak halts ballet

A long-delayed ballet production has been cancelled after just one show in Christchurch after company members tested positive for Covid-19. The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Venus Rising show finally opened in Christchurch on Thursday after two years and multiple postponements in response to pandemic controls. However, the planned performances last night and tonight were cancelled after cases of Covid-19 were discovered in the company. Ticket holders for the cancelled shows at the James Hay Theatre in the Town Hall will be refunded. ‘‘There is a very low risk for the audience at [Thursday’s] show in Christchurch as all company and crew members tested negative before going on stage,’’ the Royal New Zealand Ballet said.