Daniel Perry: Scuffle breaks out on Royal Opera House stage as cast member displays Palestinian flag
A performer displaying a Palestine flag triggered a brief scuffle on stage at the Royal Opera House in London as cast members were taking their bows on the closing night of the production of Verdi’s II Trovatore.
A video posted on social media shows what appears to be a chorus member clutching an unfurled flag against his chest as the lead singers soak in the audience’s applause seemingly unaware of the incident unfolding behind them.
Moments later, someone backstage in a suit attempts to wrestle the flag out of the performer’s hands, but they firmly hold on and stand back in place as the audience continues cheering.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Royal Ballet and Opera released a statement describing the display as a “spontaneous and unauthorised action by the artist” that was “not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera” and “wholly inappropriate” for the occasion, reiterating the organisation’s commitment to political neutrality.
According to The Telegraph, the performer was Daniel Perry, a dancer who studied at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, which charges up to $32,000 per term for boarding.
The video was met with mixed reactions online.
“They have no business raising the Palestinian flag at the Royal Opera House in London. The Director tried to snatch it away. Fire that performer!” one person wrote on X.
While another user applauded the performer for his bravery.
“Thank you so so so much for your courage!”
Perry’s demonstration comes after mass protests in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Truro against the British Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
More than 100 people were arrested on Saturday, the BBC reported.
