Royal Exchange Theatre issues statement after cancelling entire run of A Midsummer Night's Dream

A theatre which cancelled an entire production following a row over pro-Palestine and transgender rights references insists it can work with 'artists who address complex issues'. The Royal Exchange Theatre was due to stage a five-week run of A Midsummer Night's Dream this autumn.

The William Shakespeare classic was to be set in contemporary Manchester with a rave soundtrack, directed by award-winning Stef O'Driscoll. It was billed as an 'electrifying' adaptation that would champion the city's underground culture.

But performances in the run's first week were subject to late cancellations while a row brewed behind the scenes, before the entire scheduled run was axed on Saturday (September 14). Details have emerged this week on the issues leading up to the production's cancellation.

READ MORE: Major West End hit musical Moulin Rouge is coming to Manchester for the first time for 8-week run

In a new statement, the Royal Exchange Theatre has reflected on the issues that led to the show's cancellation. A spokesperson said: “At the Royal Exchange Theatre we want to work with artists who address complex issues.

“Sadly, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream a number of challenges occurred which led to a decision to cancel the production - including injuries, a delayed technical week and changes late in the process. Despite our best efforts we were unable to get the show on as planned and took the difficult decision to cancel the production. Every effort was made to get the production on stage.”

Doubts over the production's future first reached the surface when a preview was pulled on Friday, September 6. The Royal Exchange Theatre stated that a cast member had suffered an injury and there was no understudy available. Ticketholders were then informed of 'technical difficulties' forcing a cancellation on Tuesday, September 10, before further shows in the production's first scheduled week were postponed.

A decision to axe the entire run was eventually made on Saturday. Unions Equity and Stage Directors UK had stepped in to try and resolve a row about the production last week.

The Manchester Evening News revealed on Monday how both references to Palestine and trans rights had become a point of contention. A source close to the production said: "They did the first preview, at which point the theatre said they are going to have to cut the reference to trans rights and free Palestine.

"The director said - no, this is my direction, it's what it's always been, we've had weeks and months and you are now trying to change it after the first preview. The company were very solid and unified.

"Wednesday was meant to be press night, by which point you would expect enthusiasm from people on social media - nothing at all. On Wednesday the cast were called in for a meeting at 11am to resolve it, they couldn't. At the weekend they couldn't agree, the director had walked, so they cancelled it."

Meanwhile, theatre news website The Stage reported how 'Free Palestine' graffiti on the set was also thought to be a point of contention. A source close to director Stef O'Driscoll told the M.E.N.: "The message she was told was to remove were references to 'free Palestine' and to trans rights.

"She's upset. Everyone really got suddenly interested in what she was doing. As far as she was concerned, it was all part of the scene she was setting.

"It isn't about Palestine and it's not about trans rights. It's about a sub-culture and the world we are in. She feels absolutely ground down by what's happened. Her whole team is very distressed by it."