British Museum to be swamped by ocean-themed “flashmob” in protest over BP sponsorship
Singing mermaids, people donning costumes that represent the sea and a whole host of other "big surprises" will participate in an ocean-themed "splashmob" taking place in the British Museum's great court on Sunday.
Theatrical protest group BP or not BP? has arranged the unsanctioned medley in response to what it describes as the oil firm's "painfully ironic sponsorship of the museum’s current ‘Sunken Cities’ exhibition".
And it expects the 200-strong performance to be popular — with BP or not BP? advising spectators to arrive an hour early because there will likely "be long queues".
The British Museum recently agreed to extend its sponsorship deal with BP for another five years, from 2018 to 2023. BP or not BP? have threatened to escalate the protest action unless the new deal is dropped.
But will another wave of colourful protests be enough to convince the British Museum to cut ties with the FTSE-listed firm? That is the question.