Acting union Equity has criticised a growing culture of censorship after a play was cancelled, reportedly in a dispute over references to the Israel-Gaza war and trans rights. Equity said it was deeply frustrated at the lack of transparency over the
cancellation, and that it was speaking to theatre bosses to protect the principle of artistic freedom. An Equity statement reads: 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 Royal Exchange, Manchester's main producing theatre, has scrapped its entire five-week run of a modern retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream .
The theatre has said that the play faced a number of challenges. It said those challenges included injuries, a delayed technical week and changes late in the process. The Manchester Evening News reported , external that the show, set in the
city's present-day rave scene, was axed after managers objected to a song with lyrics that referred to trans rights and the phrase free Palestine. Theatre newspaper The Stage reported , external that one of the points of contention was free
Palestine being daubed on the set as well as featuring in a rap. | 
