Sydney Theatre Company pro-Palestine protest leader Harry Greenwood maintains stance amid criticism

Harry Greenwood – son of Hollywood star Hugo Weaving – who led the pro-­Palestine protest at a Sydney Theatre Company performance has refused to back down from his position.

Harry Greenwood has refused to back down from his position following the pro-Palestine on-stage stunt. Picture: Prudence Upton

The actor who led the pro-­Palestine protest at a Sydney Theatre Company performance has refused to back down from his position, reposting criticisms of the company’s moves to quell future onstage political stunts.

Harry Greenwood – son of Hollywood star Hugo Weaving – with two other actors donned Palestinian scarves on stage at the opening night performance of The Seagull and later shared the moment on social media, condemning the “occupation” and “genocide” of Gaza.

The Australian has revealed the organisation has since been thrown into turmoil: two foundational board members have resigned and patrons have criticised the November 25 stunt.

On Saturday, Mr Greenwood shared with his Instagram followers a post from media figure Benjamin Law that demurred on the “endless – and most shallow – commentary and bad-faith reporting on the saga”.

Harry Greenwood shares media figure Benjamin Law's post with his own Instagram followers.

“Sending love, support and respect to [Mabel Li, Megan Wilding and Harry Greenwood] for their gesture to honour pain and horror, which needn’t be construed as an attack on the pain and horror of others.”

Mr Greenwood also shared on Instagram an open letter – a “must read”, he commented – published in the New York Review of Books on the “misuse of Holocaust memory” which warned that “Israeli leaders and others are using the Holocaust framing to portray Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza … thereby promoting racist narratives about Palestinians”.

The STC said, after the protest, that it “does not endorse the actions taken by three actors during the curtain call of the opening night performance of The Seagull, nor did the company have knowledge of their plans.”

Harry Greenwood (R) along with co-stars Megan Wilding (2nd R) and Mabel Li (L) wore keffiyeh scarves during the encore at the opening night of the STC production of The Seagull at Sydney’s Roslyn Packer Theatre. Picture: Instagram

Since then, foundational board members Judi Hausmann and Alex Schuman quit and over 1000 members, patrons, and supporters have signed an open letter to the STC calling on it to prevent future political stunts.

Prominent voices among creatives have also slammed the organisation, including soprano Tania de Jong and stage director Gary Abrahams.

Mr Greenwood’s agent has been contacted for comment.