Royal Shakespeare Company ends sponsorship deal with BP

The Royal Shakespeare Company has cut ties with oil giant BP after striking school pupils threatened to boycott the theatre company due to its sponsorship deal with the group.

Since 2013 BP has sponsored the renowned company’s £5 ticket scheme for 16-25-year olds.

It comes as children and adults across the globe have been encouraged to learn more about the climate emergency and to take action against organisations and corporations by activist Greta Thunberg. 

BP has since said it was ‘disappointed and dismayed that the RSC has decided to end our partnership early’.

This is while artistic director for the RSC Gregory Doran, and executive direction Catherine Mallyon said young people have told them that the BP sponsorship had put a ‘barrier’ between them and their engagement with the RSC.

‘We cannot ignore that message.

‘It is with all of this in mind that we have taken the difficult decision to conclude our partnership with BP at the end of this year.

‘There are many fine balances and complex issues involved and the decision has not been taken lightly or swiftly.’

BP (logo above) said it was disappointed and dismayed that the RSC has decided to end the partnership

Despite cutting ties with the group, they thanked them for the support they have given them.  

‘We have issued 80,000 tickets to young people who have been able to experience our work through the BP sponsored scheme.’

The move may have also been spurred on by actors such as Sir Mark Rylance, who quit the company over the issue.  

Last month, young students wrote a letter stating that ‘BP’s influence is nothing but a stain on the RSC.’

Many of the protests have been inspired by climate activist Greta Thunberg (pictured above)

‘If we, as young people, wish to see an affordable play at your theatre we have to help to promote a company that is actively destroying our futures by wrecking the climate,’ they wrote.

‘BP is jeopardising the futures of these young people they apparently care so much about…

‘It is sickening that the works of Shakespeare are being associated with these events.’

In response to the letter and to its withdrawal from a deal with BP, the RSC said it had ‘listened to a wide and varied range of voices’ over recent months.

The move comes as young people protested outside Parliament on September 20

It added: ‘We are committed to sharing our work with the widest possible audience, and the £5 ticket scheme for 16 – 25-year olds remains a priority.’

BP hit out at the decision in a statement, saying: ‘We’re disappointed that this will bring a successful programme to a premature end.’

Sir Mark Rylance (pictured above) quit the group earlier in the year because of its ties to BP

It added: ‘We’re dismayed because we share many of the concerns that apparently contributed to the decision.

‘We recognise the world is on an unsustainable path and needs to transition rapidly to net-zero in the coming decades.

‘The debate centres around how to deliver this whilst meeting the world’s growing energy demands.

‘BP is focused on this dual challenge, we are in action, have ambitious plans for the future and welcome engagement with all about how to make the energy we produce cleaner and better.

‘Ironically, the increasing polarisation of debate, and attempts to exclude companies committed to making real progress, is exactly what is not needed.

‘This global challenge needs everyone, companies, governments and individuals, to work together to achieve a low carbon future.’

BP has been accused of obscuring its damaging environmental impact by supporting arts organisations.

It also sponsors the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Opera House.

In March, a £1 million donation from The Sackler Trust to the National Portrait Gallery was cancelled amid the opioid drug crisis in the US, while Tate also stopped donations from the family.