Solidarity Form

Email the Royal Ballet & Opera

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To the Royal Ballet and Opera, I am writing to commend Danni Perry’s powerful act of displaying the Palestinian flag in a moment of solidarity during your recent performance of Il trovatore. It was utterly wrong for your Director of Opera, Oliver Mears, to try to rip it down. The Royal Ballet and Opera has a history of very public support for oppressed peoples, most recently, for Black Lives Matter and for Ukraine. In a statement published directly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Royal Ballet and Opera said: “All of us here at the Royal Opera House are shocked and appalled by the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.” You not only publicly condemned it, but made obvious gestures of solidarity: playing the Ukrainian national anthem before performances, displaying the Ukrainian flag, lighting up the building in the colours of the flag, and hosting ‘Songs for Ukraine’. Ukraine is a country facing illegal invasion and bombardment, and so are the Occupied Palestinian Territories. So, I ask, what is the difference? The hypocrisy is clear for all to see. Mears’ actions should be condemned and your brave cast member’s actions lauded. I understand the Royal Ballet and Opera strives for neutrality, aiming to create a space in which diverse audiences feel welcome. However, silence in the face of human suffering is itself a political stance. The flag was not a statement of partisanship – it was a gesture of empathy, courage, and moral awareness. Speaking out is particularly necessary at a time when Israel has created a UN-declared Level 5 Catastrophe/Famine category of hunger across the entire Gaza strip (nearly 2 million people) by illegally refusing to allow aid in, a horrific violation of international law and human rights. Though subtle and entirely non-disruptive to the performance, Danni’s act held powerful moral significance. In a space often deemed “non-political,” it was a reminder that art does not exist in a vacuum. Verdi’s Il trovatore is steeped in themes of injustice, vengeance, and the personal toll of war. To acknowledge contemporary suffering within that artistic framework is not to politicise the stage, but to deepen its relevance. Consequently, I ask the following of you: – That the Royal Ballet and Opera formally apologise to Danni Perry for the threats to their career made by Oliver Mears. – That the Royal Ballet and Opera acknowledge the genocide of the Palestinian people, and recognise the responsibility of the arts in responding to injustice. We respectfully request a formal response to this petition outlining the actions that will be taken. In solidarity with Danni Perry, [Your Name Here]
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