British performers are subject to pre-performance passport checks
Musician John Potter explains why he objected to being asked to present his passport before performing at Aldeburgh Festival.
Imagine the scene: one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, you turn up at the stage door to rehearse and are met by a border guard who assumes you to be a criminal threatening the state unless you can show him your passport to prove otherwise. No passport, no entry, and presumably the risk of being detained indefinitely.
Kafka, Orwell or John Le Carré maybe? Germany before World War II, or somewhere in the Eastern Bloc after it?
Wrong: Aldeburgh today (or rather, next week). No entry for British performers unless you can prove you’re British.
Imagine the scene: one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, you turn up at the stage door to rehearse and are met by a border guard who assumes you to be a criminal threatening the state unless you can show him your passport to prove otherwise. No passport, no entry, and presumably the risk of being detained indefinitely.
Kafka, Orwell or John Le Carré maybe? Germany before World War II, or somewhere in the Eastern Bloc after it?
Wrong: Aldeburgh today (or rather, next week). No entry for British performers unless you can prove you’re British.