Shakespeare fans have reacted angrily to a BBC adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream in which the plot was changed to include a lesbian kiss.

Screenwriter Russell T Davies, best known for his work on Doctor Who, made a number of alterations which he claimed brought the Bard's comedy into the 21st century.

But viewers were unhappy with his 'politically correct' changes to the classic text, with some saying the playwright would be 'turning in his grave'.

A BBC reworking of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream included Maxine Peake, as Titania, in a lesbian kiss with Hippolyta, played by Eleanor Matsuura

But purists were unhappy with the changes made to the classic play by screenwriter Russell T Davies

In the original play Titania reconciles with her husband Oberon but in last night's production, the queen of the fairies, played by Makine Peake, leaves him and shares a kiss with Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons.

Davies also radically rewrote the end of the play, with Theseus, portrayed as a fascist dictator by actor John Hannah, collapsing and dying.

Demetrius, under the influence of magic, meanwhile fell in love with another male character, Lysander, and try to kiss him.

Shakespeare purists went on Twitter to complain about the show, branding the adaptation a 'corruption' of the original.

Others were happy with the radically adapted version of the play, which also featured Little Britain's Matt Lucas as Bottom

Rupa B tweeted the BBC saying: 'I am seriously shocked at your interpretation of #midsummernightsdream #Shakespeare would be turning in his grave! #NotHappy #Insult

Susie Bloor wrote: 'Oh dear me BBC the midsummer nights dream adaptation by Russell T Davies was awful. What did you just do to Shakespeare?'

And Jackie Collis added: 'Shakespeare may turn in his grave at this version #midsummernightsdream'

Others praised the BBC's version of the classic play,

Actress Dawn French tweeted: '#Midsummernightsdream on the tellybox right now... s'wonderful already. Big fan of Matt Lucas' Bottom. Always have been.'

Telegraph reviewer Gerard O'Donovan called it 'the loveliest, most natural treatment of dialogue I've heard in a TV adaptation of Shakespeare'.

Screenwriter Davies has previously defended his adaptation of the play, branding critics of his changes 'idiots'.

He said: 'I wanted to have a man with a man, a woman with a woman... because it's 2016 now. That's the world now and you want children to watch this and see the real world, in the middle of this fantasy.'

He first rose to fame writing the controversial Channel 4 series Queer As Folk.

He then became a household name when he successfully revived Dr Who in 2005, having been a huge fan of the show since his childhood.