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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent

ROH’s director of opera defends attempt to take Palestinian flag from protesting dancer

Oliver Mears Opera RBO Royal Opera House Alex Beard Daniel Perry the Israeli Opera Gaza Israel
A performer unveils a Palestinian flag as cast members in costume take a bow on stage
Oliver Mears said he ‘could not allow the precedent of a public and individual protest during a show’ after a performer unveiled a Palestinian flag at a curtain call. Photograph: @sydcas/Reuters

The Royal Opera House’s director of opera has pleaded with members to “understand” why he attempted to forcibly snatch a Palestinian flag off a performer during a curtain call last month, in what he called a “messy and unhappy situation”.

Oliver Mears was singled out by almost 200 Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) members in an open letter criticising the organisation’s wider stance on Gaza last week.

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