A member of the cast at the Royal Opera House displayed a Palestinian flag on stage during a curtain call Saturday evening.
Video footage shows a brief encounter as a staff member at the central London venue attempted to stop the demonstration, with the performer holding firmly onto the large flag.
The incident occurred on the closing night of *Il trovatore*, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi.
Royal Ballet and Opera officials have stated that the protest was “completely inappropriate for a curtain call.”
A spokesperson commented, “The display of the flag was a 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.”
Palestinian flags are frequently seen at demonstrations supporting Palestinians in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Videos of the event show the cast member standing at the rear of the stage, silently displaying a large Palestinian flag, and at one point gently waving it.
As the audience applauded the performance, a man from the wings can be seen attempting to take the flag from the cast member, who resisted and held onto it for the remainder of the curtain call.
Two other performers standing nearby appeared to react to the side as the encounter unfolded.
Some cast members at the front of the stage seemed unaware of the activity occurring behind them.
Other staff members in the wings were seen communicating with the protesting cast member, who appeared to ignore them while looking ahead.
Audience members speaking with the BBC reported some booing during the protest. One attendee indicated that the audience was largely supportive, though it remains unclear how many were cheering the performance in general.
Magdalini Liousa, a London resident, described the event as “a really powerful moment” and called the cast member “brave.”
However, Christopher, a resident of Glossop, stated that 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.”
Another audience member, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were two attempts by the staff member backstage to remove the flag, and that only the second “tug of war” was captured on video after attendees had taken out their phones.
The identity of the cast member has not been released.
*Il trovatore* has concluded its 11-night run at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
The restaurant staff were battling it out to win £100 at the shindig’s 50th anniversary.
Sir Sadiq Khan is the first mayor of London to go on a trade mission to Africa. Was it worthwhile?
Campaigners want a temporary ban to be made permanent to address concerns over antisocial behaviour.
The Met Police says it has made 55 arrests at one of several demonstrations across the country.
The footage was captured at the time Rene Graham, 15, was shot dead at a festival in Ladbroke Grove.