Live scuffle at Royal Opera House as performer unveils Palestinian flag on stage
In an unexpected turn of events, a performer at the Royal Opera House was banned from the venue after unfurling a Palestinian flag during the curtain call of Adele Thomas's production of Verdi's Il trovatore on July 21, 2025. The incident, which took place at London's Covent Garden-based opera house, was captured on video by audience member Stephen Ratcliffe and quickly gained attention on social media.
The video, posted on X, shows the performer, identified as Daniel Perry, unfurling the flag amidst the applause. The display of the flag was an unauthorized action, according to a spokesperson for the Royal Ballet and Opera. Both the Director of Opera, Oliver Mears, and the off-stage manager attempted to pull the flag from the dancer, but were unsuccessful.
The reaction in the room was mixed. Some audience members applauded and cheered, while another was heard saying "oh my God". The incident sparked a varied response on social media, with some describing Perry as a 'hero', while others described him as 'entitled'.
In the wider music world, performers and music artists such as Kneecap, Bob Vylan, and Wolf Alice have recently shown support for Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. However, the incident at the Royal Opera House has led to a debate about the role of political protests in artistic performances.
[1] Further details about the consequences of the protest and the performer's statement were not provided in the report. This article was written by Lucy Hicks Beach.
The video of the incident at the Royal Opera House, featuring Daniel Perry displaying a Palestinian flag, has become a topic of discussion on various social media platforms, with opinions ranging from calling him a 'hero' to 'entitled'. Meanwhile, in the realm of pop-culture and entertainment, several musicians like Kneecap, Bob Vylan, and Wolf Alice have shown their support for Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, thereby fueling the social-media-driven debate about the intersection of politics and artistic performances.
