To say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays.

The Royal Exchange has cancelled the entire run of its rave-inspired A Midsummer Night’s Dream, admitting there have been a “number of issues with the production”.

As previously reported , the show – which had been due to have its press night earlier this week – was originally postponed, with the theatre initially blaming technical issues.

However, we were led to believe the issues that initially delayed the opening were related to management having concerns about some of the creative decisions that were due to be included in the play, directed by Stef O’Driscoll.

O’Driscoll was making her Royal Exchange debut with the production, which heavily updated Shakespeare’s play and set it against the backdrop of Manchester’s rave scene.

The Royal Exchange is understood to have been holding talks with cast and creatives in a bid to resolve the problems impacting the show, and had hoped to be able to open it from next week, beginning on September 16.

However, in an updated statement provided to The Stage on September 14, it said: “The Royal Exchange Theatre has cancelled its production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which was due to run until October 12. There have been a number of issues with the production. Every effort was made to get the show on.”

It added that it “apologises to all customers who had bought tickets and will issue immediate refunds”.

Earlier this week, unions Stage Directors UK and Equity intervened in a bid to support its members working on the production.

The cast included Natalie Casey as Hippolyta and Titania, alongside Harry Egan as Theseus and Sam Black as Flute. Manchester-based musician SALO was due to make an on-stage appearance as the Moon in the production.

UPDATE: References to the Israel-Gaza war were at the heart of the reasons behind the Royal Exchange Theatre’s cancellation of its updated production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we understand.

Initially, the Royal Exchange said the show was only being “postponed”, blaming “technical” problems. However, later, when confirming the entire cancellation, it said that a “number of issues” had led to the show being pulled, but did not confirm what those issues were. Well, you know now.

Update:

Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre has promised a review to learn from the ‘issues that arose’ from its cancelled A Midsummer Night’s Dream, revealing that it will also be introducing a ‘new producing model’ in the future.