Italy theatre cancels show by Putin-tattooed Russian dancer

FILE PHOTO: Ballet dancer Sergei Polunin rehearses for the Project Polunin show at the Royal Opera House in London, Britain March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian theatre on Friday called off a show by a prominent Russian dancer who has three tattoos of President Vladimir Putin on his chest and shoulders, reacting to online protests over the artist's scheduled appearance.

Sergei Polunin's Jan. 28-29 show at Milan's Arcimboldi theatre was cancelled "due to the pressing campaign (against it) on the internet and social media", the theatre said on its website.