by The Royal Ballet and Opera has followed Pro-Palestine activists and canceled a planned production in Israel.
A Tosca run from 2026 in cooperation with the Israeli opera in Tel Aviv is no longer continued due to the pressure of the staff.
After Daniel Perry, a “queer dance artist” and alumnus a 48,000 pound a year dance school, came out a Palestinian flag last month during a curtain call in the Royal Opera House.
The Royal Opera, part of the newly combined Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), which receives public funds from the Arts Council, condemned the stunt at that time as inappropriate and, in contrast to its commitment to political neutrality.
After the protest on the stage on July 19, the RBO confronted the employees who demanded the cancellation of TOSCA production.
Credit: @Sydcas/X
Almost 200 employees signed a letter to Sir Alex Beard, the managing director of the RBO, who described the curtain as a protest as the “act of courage and moral clarity”.
The letter demanded that the RBO “hold back our productions of institutions that legitimizes and economically supports a state that deals with the mass murders of civilian population”.
Sir Alex announced that production would be canceled and said: “I am horrified by the crisis in the Gaza Strip and recognize the deep emotional effects that this had in our community and our wider society.
“We recognize and respect the entire selection of views of our employees, artists and audiences on this topic.”
He added that according to Mr. Perry’s stunt-stunt, the Oliver Mears, the director of the Royal Opera House, tried to end through the Palestinian flag that would review his attitude to political news.
Sir Alex added: “The events at the curtain call on July 19 were without precedent. We carefully reflected on and checked our internal protocols. We always strive to act with integrity and compassion.
“We want our stage to remain a room for common cultural appreciation, free of individual political statements.”
Sir Alex continued to refer to the Ukraine and said: “Our support for Ukraine at that time was in agreement with the global consensus. Since the geopolitics of the world have become more complex, our attitude has changed to ensure that our actions reflect our purpose and our values.”
The RBO has not confirmed whether this means that further pro-Palestine protests are tolerated or whether pro-Ukraine messages are limited to ensure neutrality.
The decision of the RBO was welcomed by pro-Palestine activists.
Artists for Palestine who have campaigned for cultural institutions to reduce relationships with Israel said: “This is a welcome breakthrough for the institutional accountability and a victory for the organization of base.
“The open letter from the RBO employee is an essential ethical uprising against this refusal to comment.”
