Royal Exchange Theatre show cancelled after pro-Palestine and trans rights row

A five-week run of A Midsummer Night's Dream was cancelled following a row over pro-Palestine and pro-transgender rights at the Royal Exchange Theatre, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.

The theatre was due to stage a modern take on the William Shakespeare classic, set in contemporary Manchester with a drum 'n' bass soundtrack, from September 6 to October 12. But the first few performances were cancelled, with theatregoers told of a cast injury and 'technical issues'.

Ticketholders were then contacted on Saturday (September 14) and informed the production's entire run had been axed, with the theatre set to refund its audiences in full. The Royal Exchange Theatre said the decision followed a ' a number of issues with the production' and insisted that 'every effort was made to get the show on'.

Now, the M.E.N. can reveal some of the details from the turbulent week which contributed to the show being axed.

It is understood a row broke out following an internal preview of A Midsummer Night's Dream on September 6, after it emerged the production included a song which referred to trans rights and the phrase 'free Palestine'.

The song, which was to involve the audience, had been included as part of the show's modernisation led by director Stef O'Driscoll. It's understood theatre bosses called for the section to be removed, but the director insisted it should remain in the show, with the support of her cast.

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Acting union Equity confirmed that the cast and workforce have been paid for the run in full. It's understood that this will have cost the theatre tens of thousands of pounds.