A five-week run of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre has been canceled following a dispute over the inclusion of pro-Palestinian and pro-transgender rights content.
The production, a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's classic set in modern-day Manchester with a drum and bass soundtrack, was scheduled to run from September 6 to October 12. Initially, the theatre cited cast injuries and technical issues for early cancellations. However, on September 14, ticketholders were informed that the entire run had been axed.
Sources close to the production revealed to the Manchester Evening News that tensions arose after an internal preview on September 6. The controversy centered around a song intended for audience participation, which reportedly included references to trans rights and the phrase "free Palestine". The production's poster, with its rave-like imagery and drum and bass theme, bears a grim resemblance to the Nova Festival, where Hamas terrorists killed and took hostage numerous attendees during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which led to the current war in Gaza.
Theatre management allegedly requested the removal of these elements, but director Stef O'Driscoll, supported by the cast, insisted on retaining them as integral to her artistic vision. "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,'" a source told the MEN.
As the disagreement escalated, performances were postponed and eventually canceled. The Royal Exchange Theatre confirmed that a preview on September 6 was canceled due to a cast member's injury, with subsequent shows postponed citing "ongoing technical difficulties".
Attempts to resolve the dispute included a meeting between theatre staff and the company last Wednesday, hours before a scheduled press preview. Acting union Equity and directors' union Stage Directors UK were also involved in mediation efforts.
Despite these attempts, no resolution was reached. "On Wednesday the cast were called in for a meeting at 11 a.m. to resolve it, they couldn't," a source explained. "At the weekend they couldn't agree, the director had walked, so they canceled it."
The theatre has committed to refunding all ticketholders in full. Acting union Equity confirmed that the cast and workforce will be paid for the entire run, a decision that is expected to cost the theatre tens of thousands of pounds.
The cancellation represents a significant setback for the Royal Exchange Theatre, which has faced financial challenges in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This is a big deal for them. They've been through the wars financially, through COVID," a source commented.
The Royal Exchange Theatre stated that "every effort was made to get the show on" but ultimately decided to cancel the production due to "a number of issues". The theatre has not provided further details about the specific nature of these issues.
