Real `phantom' stalks the Royal Opera House
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A REAL-LIFE phantom is creating its own backstage drama on the site of London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
A mysterious assailant is, on an almost daily basis, breaching the extensive security cordon protecting the ROH which is undergoing a pounds 220m renovation. He or she has hurled bricks, nuts, bolts and metal plating from one of the highest points of the building.
The attacks, which began earlier this month, occur during the day when up to 750 construction workers are on site. Despite the number of workers around no one has seen the culprit. The unexplained attacks have given rise to much speculation about ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night.
``It's really spooky because no one ever sees the attacker, and the security is so tight no one could walk in off the streets. I was hit by a flying bolt last week - thankfully my hard hat took the impact," said one senior employee.
``Some of the guys are joking about the phantom, but it is worrying. We just can not think of a motive for the attacks. It doesn't make sense.
``Security around the fly-tower is extremely tight and yet things are still being thrown. It is not accidental or someone being clumsy, but whoever it is operates without being seen.''
Construction management company Schal is offering a pounds 2,000 reward to unmask the mystery missile thrower. The police have also been called in to join the hunt.
The perpetrator is now referred to as "the phantom of the opera" by the workmen who tread very warily around the backstage area - the attacker's haunting ground.
Missiles have been thrown from the 15-storey fly-tower, an enormous industrial space immediately behind the stage.
A spokesman for the Royal Opera House said he was aware of the backstage drama but, after checking through the archives, he said: ``There's no history of a ghost there, although there is supposed to be one haunting the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.''
The ROH has been dogged with controversy ever since the renovation work began. An insider said: ``The last thing we need is talk of phantoms and curses.''
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments