Southampton theatre cancels LGBTQ+ play after 'hate crime directed at actors' Rotterdam Picture: rotterdamplay METROGRAB http://rotterdamtheplay.com/gallery
Rotterdam has been cancelled after a hate crime (Picture: Hartshorn-Hook)

A Southampton theatre has been forced to cancel performance of an LGBTQ+ play after a ‘hate crime’ was directed towards the actors.

Taking to Twitter, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and the official account for the Olivier award-winning play confirmed that the Saturday performances of Rotterdam play would be cancelled although did not offer any further details of the crime.

‘We regret to announce that today’s performances of @RotterdamPlay @NSTheatre are cancelled as a result of a hate crime directed at two of our actors,’ the accounts shared.

‘We are devastated that this kind of behaviour is still so prevalent, a fact which reinforces the importance of this play’s message. We are doing all we can to support the team and thank our audiences and colleagues for their support.’

Rotterdam is touring the UK after a sell out run in London’s West End; created by Jon Brittain, the play follows Alice who is about to come out as gay to her parents via email.

Before she can hit sent though, her girlfriend Fiona tells Alice she has always identified as a man, and as she begins to transition Alice has to question her own sexuality.

Messages of love came pouring into the accounts, and they thanked fans for their support: ‘We just want you to know that they really are warming our hearts. Thanks SO MUCH for spreading the love!’

Hampshire Police told Metro.co.uk in a statement: ‘We have received a report from a third party relating to an incident which happened on Hill Lane, Southampton on the afternoon of Saturday, 8 June.

‘It has been reported that homophobic abuse was shouted at two women, and stones thrown at them, by a the occupants of a passing car.

‘The matter is under investigation. Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 44190196869.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted NS Theatres for more comment.

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