Just Stop Oil protesters target opera at Glyndeborne

It was the second night of Dialogues Des Carmelites at Glyndebourne last night and about halfway through three campaigners got up and sounded an air horn before yelling into the audience.

"No new oil, no new gas," they shouted. 

They also launched glitter cannons into the crowd who looked around in distress and confusion at what was going on.

The stage was cleared and ushers swiftly escorted the protesters from the theatre. 

Glyndebourne is an opera venue

In a video posted on Just Stop Oil's Twitter, the protesters are seen with an orange banner which an usher confiscates.

One campaigner then argues with the usher that she may need the banner as evidence if she is later arrested. 

The audience remained inside the venue and were provided with regular updates through the tannoy. 

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A spokeswoman for Glyndebourne said: "We are very sorry to everyone whose visit to Glyndebourne was affected by the protest action today. 

"Our highest priority was the safety and security of everyone on site and we would like to thank our staff and performers whose calm and professional response kept everyone safe and disruption to a minimum."

The action began at around 5.30pm and the show was halted for 20 minutes while the protesters were dealt with. 

Just Stop Oil protesters used air horns and confetti cannons

Glyndebourne has reported the incident to the police but they were not on site and no arrests have been made. 

🎭 IT'S CURTAINS FOR NEW OIL AND GAS

🦺 Three Just Stop Oil supporters briefly interrupted @glyndebourne opera festival with the old news that new oil and gas is incompatible with a liveable future, and that our government want to go ahead with it anyway.

📢 Glitter canons and… pic.twitter.com/cQPl7WbQ7E

— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 15, 2023

In a statement on Twitter, a spokesman for Just Stop Oil said: "It's curtains for new oil and gas. 

"Just Stop Oil supporters briefly interrupted Glyndebourne opera festival with the old news that new oil and gas is incompatible with a liveable future, and that our government want to go ahead with it anyway.

"Glitter cannons and air horns were set off during 'Dialogues des Carmelites', an opera featuring numerous characters condemned to death. Sound familiar?

"We are running out of time. Take action with Just Stop Oil."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police received a report of a disturbance at an opera performance at Glyndebourne shortly before 5.30pm on Thursday, June 15.

"Three protesters were safely escorted from the venue by staff there.

"Officers are investigating the incident. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to report it to Sussex Police online and quote serial 158 of 16/06."