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Royal Opera House Probes Daniel Perry for Palestine Flag Display

The opera house condemned the protest as unauthorised under its neutrality policy, preparing disciplinary measures.

Overview

  • On July 19 during Il Trovatore’s final curtain call, a chorus member unfurled a Palestinian flag and resisted staff attempts to remove it.
  • The Royal Ballet and Opera criticised the unauthorised display as wholly inappropriate and incompatible with its commitment to political impartiality.
  • Officials have identified the performer as Daniel Perry, a London-based queer dance artist, choreographer and DJ with a record of pro-Palestinian activism.
  • Formal disciplinary proceedings are now under consideration, though the company has not detailed specific sanctions or a timeline.
  • The display follows a wave of performer-led pro-Palestinian actions at major arts events, highlighting tensions over artistic freedom and institutional neutrality.