Sadler’s Wells under pressure to axe Barclays sponsorship

Climate change activists are urging Sadler’s Wells to end its relationship with Barclays.

The theatre currently runs The Barclays Dance Pass scheme after signing a sponsorship deal last year.

Campaigners including Mark Rylance have written to Sadler’s Wells, calling for it to engage in “sustainable arts sponsorship” and labelling Barclays “the largest financier of fossil fuel extraction in Europe”.

The letter argues the partnership poses “a threat that far outweighs any potential benefits from the provision of the dance pass”.

Sadler’s Wells has said it passed on concerns raised to the theatre’s board, which is headed by Barclays' Chairman Nigel Higgins.