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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Performer launches Gaza flag protest on Royal Opera House stage | Performer launches Gaza flag protest on Royal Opera House stage |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Cast member unfurls Palestinian flag at Royal Opera House | Cast member unfurls Palestinian flag at Royal Opera House |
| A cast member at the Royal Opera House unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage during a curtain call on Saturday night. | |
| Video shows a brief scuffle as an official at the central London venue tries unsuccessfully to stop the protest, with the performer refusing to let go of the large flag. | |
| It came on the closing night of Il trovatore, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi. | It came on the closing night of Il trovatore, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi. |
| Royal Ballet and Opera said the protest was "completely inappropriate for a curtain call". | Royal Ballet and Opera said the protest was "completely inappropriate for a curtain call". |
| A spokesperson said: "The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorised action by the artist. | A spokesperson 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." | "It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality." |
| Palestinian flags are commonly seen at protests held in support of people living in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. | |
| Videos of the incident show one cast member standing at the top of the stage silently displaying a large Palestinian flag, at one point shaking it gently. | |
| While the audience continues to applaud the performance, a man from the stage wings is seen attempting to wrestle the flag away from the cast member but they resist and hold on to it for the remainder of the curtain call. | While the audience continues to applaud the performance, a man from the stage wings is seen attempting to wrestle the flag away from the cast member but they resist and hold on to it for the remainder of the curtain call. |
| Two other performers, stood alongside the one launching the protest, can be seen lurching to their side as the tussle plays out. | |
| Some cast members further forward on the stage appear not to realise what is happening behind them. | Some cast members further forward on the stage appear not to realise what is happening behind them. |
| Other officials stood in the wings can be seen shouting messages to the protesting cast member, who looks ahead and appears to ignore them. | Other officials stood in the wings can be seen shouting messages to the protesting cast member, who looks ahead and appears to ignore them. |
| The performer held the flag during the curtain call for Il trovatore | |
| Audience members who spoke to the BBC said there was some booing during the protest. One said the audience was largely supportive, but it is unclear how many were cheering the performance as a whole. | |
| Magdalini Liousa, from London, described it as "a really powerful moment" and described the cast member as "brave". | |
| But Glossop resident Christopher said the protest "spoiled the atmosphere at the end of a brilliant performance" and "overshadowed the evening when we really just all wanted to show our gratitude". | |
| Meanwhile, another member, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were two attempts by the man backstage to wrestle the flag off the cast member, and that only the second "tug of war" had been captured after people had pulled their phones out. | |
| The identity of the cast member remains unclear. | |
| Il trovatore has now finished its 11-night run at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. |