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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Georgia Bell and Bill Bowkett

Royal Opera House chaos as privately-educated 'queer dance artist' unfurls Palestinian flag on stage

A privately-educated performer who describes himself as a “queer dance artist” sparked controversy at the Royal Opera House after unfurling a Palestinian flag on stage during the curtain call on Saturday night.

Daniel Perry unfurled the flag during the curtain call on the closing night of Adele Thomas’ production of Verdi’s Il Trovatore.

Footage of the incident shows a stage technican emerging from the wings and attempting to take the flag from Perry, who was dressed as a horned demon.

Witnesses said that Perry, who was educated at £48,000-a-year Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, whose alumni include actors Lily James and Daisy Ridley, resisted and refused to let the flag go.

The flag was unfurled at the end of a performance of Il Trovatore (PA)

One audience member told The Daily Telegraph: “At the Royal Opera House, one of the cast unfurled a Palestinian flag at the encore.

“Someone from the opera house/company then came on stage from the wings to try to remove the flag from the cast member who wrestled it back and refused to give it up during Il Trovatore.”

On X, formerly Twitter, one commented: “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.”

Opera-goer Stephen Ratcliffe added: “Controversy at the end of Trovatore when an extra or chorus member unfurled a Palestinian flag. An off-stage manager tried to grapple with him but he held his ground. Bet he won’t be working there again.”

It was a wholly inappropriate act

Royal Ballet and Opera

A week before the incident, Perry attended the 1,500th performance of Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Free Palestine”.

Writing about the performance on Instagram, Perry said: “In this particular version, we are reminded of how regimental political systems, such as extreme nationalism and fascism, oppress and eradicate individualism, whilst also segregating people leaving them voiceless, expressionless and helplessly in control by their oppressors. I believe we are currently living in similar times.”

He added that there was a “large amount of silence from producers, creatives and artists working in and around London theatre. I am so disappointed in an industry that I have worked in for over ten years. Where is your support for those who need our help? What are you doing with your giant platforms?”

A spokesman for the Royal Ballet and Opera said: “The display of the flag was an unauthorised action by the artist. It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is a wholly inappropriate act.”

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