Stef O'Driscoll, the director of the cancelled A Midsummer's Night Dream at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, has spoken out for the first time about the production’s abrupt closure. O’Driscoll claims that theatre executives demanded the removal of phrases 'trans rights' and 'Free Palestine' from a rap section performed by local MCs in the show.
The director behind the Royal Exchange Theatre production of A Midsummer's Night Dream that was cancelled has broken her silence.
The theatre announced on Saturday that the five-week run would no longer be going ahead following a series of last-minute cancellations. The theatre blamed a cast injury and 'technical issues', saying 'every effort' was made to get the show on stage.
She claims that the executive staff, who were backed by the board, cited concerns about audience protests and press backlash when explaining their reasons for the decision. In the final week before the show's opening, Ms O'Driscoll claims the theatre conceded that references to trans rights could be included in the production, but it was 'categorically forbidden' to say 'Free Palestine' verbally.
"I could not, in good conscience, continue with a production that undermined both artistic integrity and the well-being of myself and my team. Severe lack of management and support meant that a company of artists felt devalued, invisible, problematic and unsafe. "
Theatre Royal Exchange Theatre A Midsummer's Night Dream Censorship Protest
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