Great News! Royal Ballet Confirms End to Live Animals on Stage
Amazing news for animals: after hearing from PETA, the Royal Ballet and Opera has confirmed it will no longer use live animals in its productions.
For decades, audiences at London’s Royal Opera House saw a real pony appear on stage in La Fille mal gardée. Now, the company has changed to a beautifully crafted prop, signalling a major shift towards cruelty-free theatre.
We’re delighted that the Royal Ballet and Opera has taken our advice and chosen to opt for a prop instead. Real animals are not stage props, and they don’t belong in the spotlight. This decision proves that humane innovation is always en pointe.
Why Animals Are Not Ours to Use for Entertainment
Animals are sentient individuals with their own needs, instincts, and desires – not performers for human amusement. They cannot consent to being used in shows, and environments filled with bright lights, loud music, and crowds can be overwhelming and distressing for them.
Animals are not ours to use for entertainment or any other purpose.
The decision reflects a growing recognition across the arts that animals do not belong in performance settings. From circuses to film and television, creative industries are increasingly turning to imaginative alternatives that don’t put animals in stressful and unnatural environments.
PETA urges all theatre companies still using animals to follow this lead.
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