Latest news with #RBO
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Ballet and Opera caves in to pro-Palestine activists and halts Israel show
The Royal Ballet and Opera has caved in to pro-Palestine activists and cancelled a planned production in Israel. A 2026 run of Tosca in partnership with the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv will no longer go ahead because of pressure from staff. It comes after Daniel Perry, a 'queer dance artist' and alumnus of a £48,000-a-year dance school, pulled out a Palestinian flag during a curtain call at the Royal Opera House last month. The Royal Opera, part of the newly combined Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), which receives public funding from the Arts Council, condemned the stunt at the time as inappropriate and contrary to its commitment to political neutrality. Following the on-stage protest on July 19, the RBO faced internal pressure from staff, who demanded the cancellation of the Tosca production. Credit: @sydcas/X Almost 200 staff signed a letter to Sir Alex Beard, the RBO's chief executive, calling the curtain call protest an 'act of courage and moral clarity'. The letter demanded that the RBO 'withholds our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians'. Announcing that the production would be cancelled, Sir Alex said: 'I am appalled by the crisis in Gaza and recognise the deep emotional impact this has had across our community and wider society. 'On this issue, we acknowledge and respect the full range of views held by our staff, artists and audiences.' He added that following Mr Perry's on-stage stunt, which Oliver Mears, the director of the Royal Opera House, attempted to end by snatching at the Palestinian flag, the RBO would review its stance on political messaging. Sir Alex added: 'The events at the curtain call on July 19 were without precedent. We have reflected carefully and reviewed our internal protocols. We always endeavour to act with integrity and compassion. 'We want our stage to remain a space for shared cultural appreciation, free from individual political statements.' Sir Alex went on to refer to Ukraine, saying: 'Our support for Ukraine was aligned with the global consensus at the time. As the world's geopolitics have become more complex, our stance has changed to ensure that our actions reflect our purpose and values.' The RBO has not confirmed whether this means that further pro-Palestine protests will be tolerated, or if pro-Ukraine messaging will be limited to ensure neutrality. The RBO's decision has been welcomed by pro-Palestine activists. Artists for Palestine, which has lobbied for cultural institutions to sever ties with Israel, said: 'This is a welcome breakthrough for institutional accountability – and a victory for grass-roots organising. Across the cultural sector too many institutions, faced with genocide, have opted for silence or worse.'The RBO staff's open letter is an essential ethical uprising against this refusal to speak out.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Egypt Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
British opera company pulls performance in Israel after staff backlash
London — The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), one of Britain's most prestigious arts institutions, has canceled its planned production of 'Tosca' in Israel after a widespread staff backlash. In a recent open letter, 182 members of staff said they 'reject' holding current or future performances in Israel because of its war in Gaza. The RBO had planned to stage the three-act opera, which dramatizes the 'devastation of war,' in collaboration with the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv next year. But the signatories accused the RBO of having 'chosen to actively support the Israeli state' while its government is 'currently engaged in crimes against humanity' in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Alex Beard, RBO's chief executive, confirmed to CNN Wednesday that the production had been canceled, but said the decision had been taken 'before the recent staff letter was received' and out of 'concerns about the safety of company members in the region, in light of the ongoing conflict.' The letter from staff was prompted by a dispute that broke out within the organization last month after a dancer held up a Palestinian flag during the curtain call for a performance of 'Il Trovatore.' Widely shared videos of the moment showed a fracas between the dancer and a man who stepped from the wings to try to snatch the flag from the dancer's hands. In a statement at the time, reported in UK media, the RBO said the dancer's display was a 'completely inappropriate' and 'unauthorized action' that fell foul of the organization's 'commitment to political impartiality.' However, the organization's response sparked widespread condemnation among staff. A view from the stage of the Auditorium of the Royal Opera their open letter, RBO staff expressed solidarity with the dancer who unfurled the Palestinian flag. It said that the attempt to snatch the flag from him 'sent a clear message that any visible solidarity with Palestine would be met with hostility.' Staff demanded that the organization withholds 'our productions from institutions that legitimize and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians.' More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. The letter also took aim at what it called the RBO's 'hypocritical' stance, citing the organization's support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. 'We understood then that silence was unacceptable. Why is it different now? Why is Palestinian suffering met with silence, while Ukrainian suffering was met with action? The double standard is deafening,' it said. Beard, the chief executive, said in a statement reported in UK media that the RBO's support for Ukraine was 'aligned with the global consensus at the time,' but that 'as the world's geopolitics have become more complex, our stance has changed to ensure that our actions reflect our purpose and values.' He said he was 'appalled by the crisis in Gaza' and that the RBO acknowledges and respects 'the full range of views held by our staff, artists and audiences.' Artists for Palestine UK, an activist group, praised the RBO's decision to cancel the production in Israel, claiming 'never before has the management of such an institution responded with immediate action.' Alarm over the suffering in Gaza has reached new heights in recent months since Israel put the enclave under a blockade, causing Palestinians to die of starvation and malnutrition. Following the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. The RBO's production of 'Tosca' will premiere in London in September. The Israeli Opera website has since removed all reference to the planned production.
CNN
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
British opera company pulls performance in Israel after staff backlash
The Middle East UK Israel-Hamas war MusicFacebookTweetLink Follow The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), one of Britain's most prestigious arts institutions, has canceled its planned production of 'Tosca' in Israel after a widespread staff backlash. In a recent open letter, 182 members of staff said they 'reject' holding current or future performances in Israel because of its war in Gaza. The RBO had planned to stage the three-act opera, which dramatizes the 'devastation of war,' in collaboration with the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv next year. But the signatories accused the RBO of having 'chosen to actively support the Israeli state' while its government is 'currently engaged in crimes against humanity' in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Alex Beard, RBO's chief executive, confirmed to CNN Wednesday that the production had been canceled, but said the decision had been taken 'before the recent staff letter was received' and out of 'concerns about the safety of company members in the region, in light of the ongoing conflict.' The letter from staff was prompted by a dispute that broke out within the organization last month after a dancer held up a Palestinian flag during the curtain call for a performance of 'Il Trovatore.' Widely shared videos of the moment showed a fracas between the dancer and a man who stepped from the wings to try to snatch the flag from the dancer's hands. In a statement at the time, reported in UK media, the RBO said the dancer's display was a 'completely inappropriate' and 'unauthorized action' that fell foul of the organization's 'commitment to political impartiality.' However, the organization's response sparked widespread condemnation among staff. In their open letter, RBO staff expressed solidarity with the dancer who unfurled the Palestinian flag. It said that the attempt to snatch the flag from him 'sent a clear message that any visible solidarity with Palestine would be met with hostility.' Staff demanded that the organization withholds 'our productions from institutions that legitimize and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians.' More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. The letter also took aim at what it called the RBO's 'hypocritical' stance, citing the organization's support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. 'We understood then that silence was unacceptable. Why is it different now? Why is Palestinian suffering met with silence, while Ukrainian suffering was met with action? The double standard is deafening,' it said. Beard, the chief executive, said in a statement reported in UK media that the RBO's support for Ukraine was 'aligned with the global consensus at the time,' but that 'as the world's geopolitics have become more complex, our stance has changed to ensure that our actions reflect our purpose and values.' He said he was 'appalled by the crisis in Gaza' and that the RBO acknowledges and respects 'the full range of views held by our staff, artists and audiences.' Artists for Palestine UK, an activist group, praised the RBO's decision to cancel the production in Israel, claiming 'never before has the management of such an institution responded with immediate action.' Alarm over the suffering in Gaza has reached new heights in recent months since Israel put the enclave under a blockade, causing Palestinians to die of starvation and malnutrition. Following the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. The RBO's production of 'Tosca' will premiere in London in September. The Israeli Opera website has since removed all reference to the planned production.
Middle East Eye
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Middle East Eye
Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt
The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) has pulled out of a planned production run of the opera Turandot in Israel, the company's CEO Alex Beard confirmed in a message to staff. Beard told his employees that "Tosca will not be going to Israel" following weeks of staff dissent over their refusal to perform in Israel and anger at the treatment of a performer who raised the Palestinian flag after a performance. In July, dancer Danni Perry raised the Palestinian flag during an ovation following a performance of Il Trovatore. Perry was challenged by the opera's director, Oliver Mears, who attempted to pull the flag off him. The performer was later reportedly "banned" from participation in future performances. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The incident set off declarations of solidarity with Perry by members of the company, with 182 members of staff joining a call to reject future performances in Israel. Staff, including performers, dancers, musicians and technicians amongst others, signed a letter demanding that RBO "withholds our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians". "In recent months, the world has witnessed the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, homes, and cultural heritage. Tens of thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and essential infrastructure deliberately targeted, in clear violation of international law," the letter said. War on Gaza: Campaigners shut down fundraiser for Israeli soldiers at London theatre Read More » "It is in this climate that our organisation has chosen to actively support the Israeli state and its economy by hiring our production of Turandot to The Israeli Opera." Staff demands in the letter included the cessation of performances in Israel, an acknowledgement by the RBO of genocide in Gaza, solidarity with Perry and disciplinary action against Mears. The world of opera, like others in the performing arts, faces an internal reckoning over its response to Israel's onslaught on Gaza. Many artists refuse to perform in Israel as they consider it tacit endorsement of its atrocities against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
Euronews
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
UK's Royal Ballet and Opera cancels 2026 Israel show after protest
The UK's Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) has cancelled its 2026 production of Puccini's Tosca in Tel Aviv after almost 200 staff condemned the UK company's 'hypocrisy' on the war in Gaza, accusing it of aligning with 'a government currently engaged in crimes against humanity'. In an internal message to staff, according to The Guardian, RBO chief executive Sir Alex Beard said: 'We have made the decision that our new production of Tosca will not be going to Israel.' Beard acknowledged an open letter, signed by 182 members of staff, including dancers, musicians, singers, and backstage crew, that was sent to him and the board last Friday. 'We reject any current or future performances in Israel,' the signatories wrote. They also condemned 'the organisation's silence on Israel's genocidal conduct, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians.' The letter strongly criticised the RBO's recent decision to allow its production of Turandot to be staged at the Israeli Opera. 'The decision cannot be viewed as neutral,' the staff wrote. 'It is a deliberate alignment, materially and symbolically, with a government currently engaged in crimes against humanity.' They further claimed that the Israeli Opera 'routinely offers free tickets to soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces.' 'The RBO is clearly making a strong political statement by allowing its production and intellectual property to be presented in a space that openly rewards and legitimises the very forces responsible for the daily killings of civilians in Gaza.' The letter also referenced an incident last month when performer Daniel Perry unfurled a Palestinian flag during the curtain call of Il trovatore at the Royal Opera House. 'An act of courage and moral clarity on our very stage,' the letter said of Perry's action, in which he appeared dressed as a horned demon holding the flag before a live audience. Video footage showed RBO's Director of Opera, Oliver Mears, attempting to seize the flag from Perry, leading to a brief tussle. The protest occurred in front of the applauding crowd. Signatories criticised Mears for attempting to intervene. 'We witnessed [him] attempting to forcibly snatch the flag from the performer, displaying visible anger and aggression in front of the entire audience,' they said. Perry later alleged that Mears told him he would 'never work for the Opera House ever again.' The letter called for Mears 'to be held accountable for his public display of aggression,' saying the act 'sent a clear message that any visible solidarity with Palestine would be met with hostility.' The letter also noted the RBO's swift response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and urged the organisation to show the same clarity in the face of mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Following the announcement, references to the Royal Opera House and its Tosca production have been removed from the Israeli Opera's website.
