'Aida' musical canceled after row over 'cultural appropriation'

A musical production of the Aida opera has been cancelled after complaints of "cultural appropriation".

A theatre at the University of Bristol said all showings were dropped following a row over fears that white students would be cast to portray Ancient Egyptians and slaves.

"This show that was voted in by our members has since caused controversy in terms of racial diversity," the Music Theatre Bristol said on Facebook.

“It is a great shame that we have had to cancel this show as of course we would not want to cause offence in any way as that was never our intention. Our intention was to tell this story, one which, surely is better heard than not performed."

The show - a musical by Tim Rice and Elton John based on Verdi's eponymous opera - is set in Ancient Egypt and revolves around Aida, an Ethiopian princess who is held prisoner but falls in love with an Egyptian general.

Students from within Drama Society, Bristol Student Union and the Music Theatre Bristol criticised the production for the lack of racial diversity.

“It’s quite simple really, if you are going to put on a production set in a particular place with a particular cultural context, then you need to reflect that with the ethnicity of actors. Unless you’re going to respect how the cast SHOULD BE then I think it’s stupid to put on this show," a student said, according to The Tab.

But Conrad Young, another student at the Bristol Against Censorship group, said: “The effect that the fear of cultural appropriation has on modern campuses is a sad affair and in this case has damaged the student experience of the people involved and the prospective student audiences.”