Edinburgh Fringe venue 'threatens to pull play about how JK Rowling fell out with stars of Harry Potter over her trans views'

An Edinburgh Fringe show about JK Rowling’s views on trans rights is at the centre of a cancellation storm amid claims its venue has threatened to pull the plug on the performance.

Terf, a play about the Harry Potter author’s falling out with the stars of the movie franchise after revealing her gender critical views, had been booked for St Stephen’s Theatre in the city’s Stockbridge area.

But those working on the show claim they have been told the popular Fringe venue may axe the play amid a flurry of press attention branding it the most controversial play in years.

Producer Barry Church-Woods said he has been told by theatre management they would have to find a new venue alleging the building’s owner has vetoed the performance.

Mr Church-Woods branded the move ‘really alarming’ and said: ‘The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is supposed to be this breeding ground for new work. 

‘This isn’t a controversial play. 

‘We have seen plays cancelled, or shows cancelled, over the last few years because of blatant misogyny or hate language, or various things.

‘I don’t particularly agree that kind of work should be cancelled either, but this is a very different thing.’

The play has attracted scathing headlines with many claiming it was an attack on JK Rowling.

Terf is slur for those whose views on gender identity are considered hostile to transgender people, and is an abbreviation for trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

Amid the row, Mr Church-Woods has set up an online petition to demand the show goes on.

In it he said Derek Douglas, programme director at St Stephen’s, ‘loved’ the script but had been overruled.

He claimed the owner had demanded the show be dropped, with a clause in the contract allowing him the right to veto acts.

But the producer said: ‘(The owner) has not read the script, people who have read the script have said it’s really funny and balanced, and it’s actually not a hit piece on JK Rowling at all.

‘So we find it really alarming and disappointing that someone is going to essentially censor a show because either there’s been some misrepresentation in the press or there’s been public pressure to do so.’

Ms Rowling, who has become one of the world’s foremost gender critics, has repeatedly come under attack from her opponents because of her deeply held views.

There have been reports of the play struggling to attract actresses, leading to trans campaigner and long-time critic of Ms Rowling, India Willoughby, to offer to play the role.

And last week the creator of the boy wizard said she would ‘give her personal seal of approval’ to the activist’s bid to play her on stage, and added: ‘I’ll be investing heavily in popcorn shares the moment the casting is confirmed.’

Terf, which has been listed in the Edinburgh Fringe’s printed guide, is scheduled for a 23-date run at the Ian McKellen Theatre at St Stephen’s.

Its blurb describes it: ‘Joanne Rowling was the most beloved author of all time... until everything went to hell in a broombasket.

‘We all know how. It’s time to know why. See the play even the bravest venues were too afraid to program.’

St Stephen’s Theatre was approached for comment.