TED Marr has hit out at the no-shows which saw attendance for the White Nights events slip from an earlier estimate of 800 to a final tally of 350.
In a rare show of pique, Marr's message in the White Nights programme showed irritation with those who signed up, paying US$100 (HK$780) as deposit, and then did not follow through.
Although he said he was confident his Bela Vista Ball company would break even on the week's extravaganza, the lower turnout has put unwanted pressure on the company, which paid tens of thousands of US dollars for the use of St Peterburg's most historic venues - including the Taurida, Catherine and Yusopov palaces - and pay for performers, including the St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, and cabaret acts flown in from Australia.
Also brought in were top Parisian caterers Potel et Chabot to look after the week's functions.
In the programme, Marr talked of a ''high point'' when 800 signed on, followed by the lows, when media reports of political chaos in Russia seemed to put people off.
''It is sad to know we will this year be missing some of our good friends who were so influenced by these tabloid beat-ups they did not take up the places they had reserved,'' his message said curtly.
Marr also suggested to P.S. there may be other reasons. ''If that [politics] is an excuse because they couldn't afford to come, then they are stupid and dishonest.'' But most guests have expressed relief the final number was a more comfortable 350, while Marr and his fellow committee members have been more relaxed all week, hardly looking like they face financial problems. One member said the US$40,000 gleaned from the non-refundable deposits would help see them through. At US$500 a head for the two core events of last night's ball and Friday's garden party at the Catherine Palace, there is no shortage of cash.