A radical new interpretation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been cancelled.

The five-week run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre will not go-ahead.

In a statement, the theatre said: “At the Royal Exchange Theatre we want to work with artists who address complex issues.

“Sadly, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream a number of challenges occurred which led to a decision to cancel the production – including injuries, a delayed technical week and changes late in the process.

“Despite our best efforts we were unable to get the show on as planned and took the difficult decision to cancel the production. Every effort was made to get the production on stage.”

Theatregoers were made aware of issues about the production - which would have marked director Stef O’Driscoll’s debut at the theatre - when the initial first week of previews was cancelled at short notice. Press night last Wednesday was also called off with ticketholders being informed they were entitled to a refund and more cancellations followed.

The play was combining Shakespeare with the Manchester club scene and was to have featured Manchester musician Salo, who was due to play the moon, alongside Natalie Casey.

It is believed that the actors union Equity tried to resolve the situation with the cast eager for the production to go ahead, but the theatre was unwilling to put it on to the stage and the entire run was cancelled.

The show was due to run until October 12.