'It's not art anymore, it's a show with a tape on - and it means I could lose my home'

An orchestra player fears he could lose his home after being replaced with pre-recorded music in ballet shows.

Last year, Northern Ballet announced it would be axing live music for some productions from April 2024 due to rising costs.

The company said the decision was not taken lightly but had to be made due to an “incredibly challenging” economic climate.

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John Melbourne, from Wilmslow, has been a principal percussionist – usually the most accomplished percussionist who plays difficult solos – with Northern Ballet for more than 30 years.

The dad-of-one was just 24 when he began his career and appreciated the financial security the role brought, meaning he was able to explore other passions including teaching.

But like so many other freelance musicians, the 54-year-old has now lost his main source of income as Northern Ballet cuts back on live music at a time when, it says, rising costs have made its traditional touring model 'unsustainable'.

John now hopes to find other freelance work to make ends meet – but fears his financial situation could soon become so dire he will have to sell his home.

“It was a good job for me,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “It was great to have that security. A musical career is a very precarious one – even in good times. So to have an actual job is rare and they’re very hard to get.

“[Losing my home] is definitely something that could happen. I’m lucky my wife works but we both need incomes to pay the bills.

“The thing about freelancing is if you don’t get work in the long term, you don’t know what’s coming up, so I have nothing now.

“If nothing comes in, it’ll only take two to