Watch: Chaos at Royal Opera House - Performer’s Palestinian Flag Stunt Sparks Onstage Clash
A cast member’s unauthorized display of a Palestinian flag during the curtain call of Il Trovatore at the Royal Opera House sparked a scuffle and controversy, reflecting broader tensions over pro-Palestinian protests in UK cultural spaces.
On July 19, 2025, the closing night of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore at London’s Royal Opera House was marred by a controversial act when a cast member, identified as queer dance artist Daniel Perry, unfurled a Palestinian flag during the curtain call. The performer, dressed as a demon, stood silently at the back of the stage, holding the flag while other cast members bowed, prompting a brief scuffle as a staff member, reportedly Opera Director Oliver Mears, attempted to seize it. Video footage captured Perry resisting, yanking the flag back and continuing to display it, to mixed audience reactions of cheers and murmurs of shock.
One attendee posted on X, “It felt more like a stunt than anything else. Whatever the intent, it came across as deeply disrespectful to the performers and those who came to see them.” Another witness described the scene as “extraordinary,” noting, “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.”
The Royal Opera House, a publicly funded venue committed to political neutrality, condemned the act. A spokesperson stated, “The display of the flag was an unauthorized action by the artist. It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is a wholly inappropriate act.” The incident follows heightened tensions in the UK, with over 100 arrests made on July 19 for supporting Palestine Action, a group targeting Israel-linked institutions. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan warned that such expressions could lead to arrests under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Similar protests have disrupted cultural spaces, including Wimbledon’s 2025 opening, where activists displayed Palestinian flags and accused sponsor Barclays of enabling “genocide.” Barclays defended its role, stating it is “proud of our partnership with Wimbledon” and supports defense suppliers for the UK and NATO. Posts on X reflected polarized sentiments, with one user calling Perry a “hero” for solidarity with Gaza, while another labeled it a “disgraceful hijacking of art.” The performer’s future with the Royal Opera House remains uncertain, with one audience member predicting, “Bet he won’t be working there again.”