The Manchester Evening News first reported how the row broke out following an internal preview when it emerged the production included a song which referred to

Stephen Freeman, CEO of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, has resigned following a backlash over the cancellation of a modern adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The chief executive of Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre has stepped down after a censorship row erupted over the cancellation of a Shakespearean production. Performances of the modern adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream were paused due to references made to the Israel-Gaza war and transgender rights.