Opera cast member unfurls Palestine flag during curtain call on London stage
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A performer used a curtain call to wave a Palestinian flag on the stage of the Royal Opera House.
The protest took place at the end of a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s il Trovatore on Saturday night, while the rest of the cast were taking their bows and receiving applause.
Footage of the incident showed ROH’s director of opera Oliver Mears step out on to the stage and mount an unsuccessful attempt to grab the green, white and red flag from the dancer.
Other staff members standing in the wings are seen shouting messages to the actor involved.
The move has been condemned as ‘completely inappropriate’ by the operators of the theatre theatre, who said they strive for political impartiality.
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One spectator posted on X: ‘Extraordinary scenes at the Royal Opera House tonight.
‘During the curtain call for Il Trovatore one of the background artists came on stage waving a Palestine flag. Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone off stage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible.’
Musician and Opera enthusiast Stephen Ratcliffe wrote on X: ‘Controversy at end of Trovatore @rbo_org tonight when an extra /chorus member unfurled a Palestinian flag. Off stage manager tried to grapple with him but he held his ground. Bet he won’t be working there again.’
An ROH spokesperson said the display was a spontaneous act by the artist which was not approved by the theatre and was ‘completely inappropriate for a curtain call’.
They said: ‘The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorised action by the artist.
‘It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.’
The show was the last in a series of 11 performances of Adele Thomas’ production of il Trovatore at the opera house, the BBC reported.
Verdi’s four-act opera sees troubadour Manrico go head to head with rival Count di Luna for their lover Leonora’s heart, while a devastating curse threatens to put an unexpected spin on events.
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