Lack of funds crushed vision: why Queensland Ballet director Leanne Benjamin walked out of top job early

Former ballet star Leanne Benjamin says she was ‘encouraged’ to pursue her vision as artistic director of Queensland Ballet – the same vision that has been cited as a reason for her shock departure.

Leanne Benjamin left Queensland Ballet last week after only a few months as artistic director.

Former ballet star Leanne Benjamin says she was “encouraged” to pursue her vision as artistic director of Queensland Ballet – the same vision that has been cited as a reason for her shock departure.

Benjamin’s abrupt exit last week from Queensland Ballet after just a few months in the top job stunned the arts world.

Her departure was attributed to “funding constraints” that prevented her from implementing her plans for the company.

In a letter sent to The Australian, the former Royal Ballet star said she had been upfront about her plans for the company from her first job interview.

Benjamin also wrote that during her first few months in the post, she “was encouraged to pursue those plans’’.

This changed when “recently, it became clear that the company would not prioritise financial ­resources for new programming, and despite my willingness to ­repeatedly compromise my ­vision, it was clear that the change I represented was not going to be possible’’.

Benjamin, who was the Royal Ballet’s longest-serving ballerina, was born in Rockhampton and returned to Queensland with much fanfare to lead the company earlier this year. In the letter, she said she was “deeply saddened not to be able to deliver my vision to the company, the audiences of Brisbane, and the arts community nationally’’.

Queensland Ballet recorded a $1.57m deficit last year. Asked whether this deficit was disclosed to Benjamin when she interviewed for the top job, a QB spokeswoman said: “The interview process for all the candidates included disclosure of financial information which is also publicly available.’’

The Australian understands Benjamin is uninterested in conducting a public dispute with QB, but feels as if she has come under attack, following her departure.

One dance industry insider claimed that “one of the best ­artists I’ve ever known has been thrown under the bus’’.

Benjamin’s abrupt exit stunned the arts world. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

This source said further questions should be asked about how and when the company disclosed its deficit to Benjamin and whether it gave her a budget for her proposed season.

This source also asked whether the company’s new building, the Thomas Dixon Centre in ­Brisbane, was chewing up resources that should be better spent on the core purpose of presenting ­ballet.

In recent days, damaging information about Benjamin has been leaked to the Queensland media, including claims she didn’t “pass” her probation period, didn’t drive and used taxis for work. It was also reported that some guest choreographers she planned to engage were clients of her husband Tobias Round, an ­influential London agent.

The Australian understands that when she was interviewed for her position, Benjamin made it clear that Round represented so many international ballet stars and choreographers that she could end up engaging artists who were her husband’s clients.

It is understood Benjamin assumed having access to this ­inter­nationally renowned network of guest artists and choreographers would benefit Queensland Ballet.

She had also planned to engage choreographers who were not clients of Round, including Australia’s Stephanie Lake and William Forsythe.

Greg Horsman, the company’s assistant artistic director, has been appointed as acting ­artistic director.