Censorship in Manchester
Saturday 21st September 2024
This week, I was disturbed to see that Stef O’Driscoll’s new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been cancelled by Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Nice eh? The reasons given were that the show included the phrases “trans rights” and “Free Palestine” in a rap performed by one of her actors. She says that her production, set in the rave scene of Manchester, “expressed solidarity with trans people and the people of Palestine in a rap performed by a trans politically conscious mechanical”. O’Driscoll says that she is “someone with a working-class Irish Traveller heritage”, and has “always been driven by the need to amplify marginalised voices. I believe in the power of theatre not just to entertain, but to provoke, challenge and advocate for social justice.” The reason for the cancellation is fear of protests and backlash. This is clearly censorship: the theatre says that the phrase “trans rights” is acceptable, but not “Free Palestine”. Does this mean that “trans rights” is okay, but supporting the freedom of an oppressed people is not?: after all, the show is not saying “support Hamas”. Bad business; leaves a bad taste. I mean, why are theatres now so cowardly? Is the cultural atmosphere so fragile today that no one can say anything remotely controversial? No wonder writers are running to commercial television and Netflix. Wouldn’t you?
- Make your own mind up by reading The Stage’s article “Exclusive: Royal Exchange director Stef O’Driscoll breaks silence on show cancellation.”
© Aleks Sierz
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on Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 12:25 pm
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