Actors' union calls out 'censorship' after Royal Exchange Theatre cancels shows

An actors' union has accused the Royal Exchange Theatre of a 'lack of transparency' over why it cancelled a full run of shows last week.

The theatre announced on Saturday (September 14) that the autumn production of A Midsummer's Night Dream would no longer be going ahead following a series of last-minute cancellations. The Manchester Evening News revealed this week that the modern take on the Shakespeare classic was cancelled following a row over references to 'free Palestine' and pro-transgender rights in the play.

It comes after the theatre blamed a cast injury and 'technical issues'. In a new statement issued today (September 18), the Royal Exchange Theatre said it wants to 'work with artists who address complex issues', but said a 'number of challenges' had occurred.

READ MORE: Inside the furious Royal Exchange Theatre row that saw an entire production shelved

Unions Equity and Stage Directors UK had stepped in to try and resolve a row about the production last week. The M.E.N. has learned director Stef O'Driscoll and her cast and crew are furious about the cancellation with an insider saying that she feels 'ground down'.

Equity met with management at the theatre this afternoon (September 18). In a statement following the meeting, a spokesperson for the union said it rejects the 'growing culture' of censorship and will continue to fight for 'artistic integrity' and 'freedom of expression'.

An Equity spokesperson said: “Equity officials met with Royal Exchange Theatre management this afternoon and we received assurances that they take our concerns seriously. While we welcome the engagement, we remain deeply frustrated by the lack of transparency regarding the events leading to the cancellation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

“For Equity, this is an issue of dignity at work and freedom of expression. We absolutely back the rights of our members – performers, stage management, creative team and all involved in the production – to be treated with dignity and respect at work.

"We reject the growing culture of censorship created by funders and pressure groups. We are fighting for artistic integrity, as well as dignity for our members, and all working people.

“We remain in conversation with Royal Exchange management to protect the principle of artistic freedom, guarantee our members’ dignity at work, and ensure the integrity of our collective agreements.”

The setting for the adaptation of A Midsummer's Night Dream is Manchester's drum 'n' bass scene. The M.E.N. revealed on Monday (September 16) how both references to Palestine and trans rights in the play had become a point of contention with the theatre.

The M.E.N. has been told that at the end of the now-cancelled production, one member of a group of rappers in the adaptation called the 'mechanicals', called Snug, performs a rap in which there are references to 'ceasefire now'; genocide; and 'mass bloodshed'. Two other rappers join and make references to 'trans' rights, while a car daubed with graffiti reading 'free Palestine' was also part of the set, the M.E.N. understands.

Director Ms O'Driscoll, who was making her debut at the theatre, is understood to have sent theatre managers links of footage from the show, but parts of the production were challenged. A source close to the director said: "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."

In a new statement issued today (September 18), the Royal Exchange Theatre said it 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.”