Bolshoi Ballerina 'Told To Pay £6k For Solos'

A teenager who trained and danced with Russia's renowned Bolshoi ballet has said she was asked to pay $10,000 (£6,280) to allow her to perform solos.

American Joy Womack, 19, said she dreamed of dancing alone on stage but had her hopes dashed by a "specific person" she refused to name.

Her allegations add to controversy surrounding the ballet troupe, the internal workings of which have been laid bare during the trial of two men accused of conspiring to throw acid at artistic director Sergei Filin.

He lost most of his eyesight in the attack in January and has had complicated surgery to repair damage to his skin.

Ms Womack was the first American to graduate from the dance school

The sought after solo roles, known as variations, offer dancers a chance to impress both teachers and critics.

Ms Womack, who was invited to join the Bolshoi Theatre after graduating from its academy in 2012, claimed she was told by Mr Filin to stay in the corps de ballet - the group of dancers who perform together - despite signing a soloist contract.

"People told me that I don't have a sponsor ... someone who can speak on my behalf," she told the Izvestia newspaper. "That's the only way the theatre works now."

Ms Womack, the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi academy, said she wants to forget the "nightmare" of her time with the company.

The Bolshoi Theatre in the Russian capital Moscow

No one at the ballet was available to comment on her claims.

However, Tatyana Stukalova, a lawyer for Mr Filin, said the report contained phrases "torn out of context" and was "not true".

"Such articles justify the crime and take the side of the criminals," she said.

Giving evidence at the trial of his alleged attackers last week, Mr Filin said he had been offered bribes by aspiring dancers but refused them.

The attack on Mr Filin (L) was allegedly masterminded by Dmitrichenko (R)

He also said ballerinas did not "pass through his bed" in order to boost their careers, and said they were treated fairly and on merit.

Former soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko is accused of conspiring with ex-convict Yuri Zarutsky to injure Mr Filin.

A third man is accused of driving the attacker to Mr Filin's apartment.

Dmitrichenko has admitted discussing the possibility of having the director beaten up but said he never agreed to such a serious assault.

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