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

More details surrounding controversial elements of a new production of Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Exchange Theatre have emerged - after the show was cancelled when the director allegedly refused to remove references to 'free Palestine'.

The five-week run of the modern adaptation of the Shakespeare classic was cancelled following a row over pro-Palestine and pro-transgender rights references on set, the Manchester Evening News revealed last night.

The theatre was due to stage the adaption 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.

READ NEXT: Royal Exchange Theatre show was cancelled after pro-Palestine and trans rights row

Today (Monday) the M.E.N. has learned director Stef O'Driscoll and her cast and crew are furious at the cancellation. She feels 'ground down', an insider said.

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', the M.E.N. has been told. Two other rappers join and make references to 'trans' rights, it is understood.

The setting for the adaptation is Manchester's drum 'n' bass scene. A car daubed with graffiti reading 'free Palestine' was also part of the set, the M.E.N. has been told. 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.

"Her whole team is very distressed by it. In the end she told the [theatre] leadership they needed to do it if they wanted to make these cuts and they needed to speak to the team themselves. None of them believe in what they were proposing and they needed to address the team themselves."

Last week, ticketholders were told that 'technical difficulties' had led to the show on September 10 being cancelled, before an announcement the following day that the week's performances were being postponed due to 'ongoing' issues. The M.E.N. has learned that a meeting took place last Wednesday between theatre staff and the company to try and resolve the disagreement.

Stars who were due to perform in the production took to social media to share their sadness at the cancellation over the weekend. Alicia Forde, who previously starred in BBC's Time and Waterloo Road and was due to play Lysander, wrote on her Instagram story: "Much love for the messages about the cancellation of our show A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Exchange.

"Not ignoring you I promise, just taking some time... big love to the cast and crew, it was a special one x."

Manchester musician Salo, who was due to play as the moon, wrote on an Instagram story: "A Midsummer Night's Dream has been cancelled. Apologies to everyone that was so excited to see this theatre production.

"The work I put into this was huge and I'm f****** gutted for myself and everyone involved. Don't wanna talk about it too much as I'm emotionally drained but will answer any questions about it at a later date. Just need some time to process."

A spokeswoman for Artists for Palestine said the theatre has 'has serious questions to answer with regards to transphobic and anti-Palestinian racist censorship'.

The actors' union Equity is seeking an 'urgent' meeting with theatre bosses.

In a statement, Equity said: "We are supporting members in dealing with the impact of this cancellation on their wellbeing and future relationships with the venue. Whilst we're pleased that the workforce will not be out of pocket, the issues that have led to the cancellation of the production require further discussion with Manchester Royal Exchange.

"Equity has today contacted the theatre requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the reasons for cancellation, the impact on our members and the steps being taken now. We remain very concerned about this situation and its impact on our members."

The Royal Exchange has been approached for comment.