A documentary featuring a play at Margate's Theatre Royal is to be shown on BBC1.

But the play shown in the TV programme has angered residents who described the Scottish company who made it as "people who have insulted our town, taken the money and run".

The On Stage documentary made by Kent-based independent producers Peter Williams Television went behind the scenes at the theatre to find out how it is faring in testing economic times and explore the relationship between theatre and community.

But the documentary featured a play called Feral In Margate made by Scottish company Tortoise in a Nutshell which upset audience members and is due to air as part of the programme.

On Stage independent producer Peter Williams said from gauging the reaction after the performance in March, some Margate residents were upset by negative themes linked with their town.

He said: "We followed the production from rehearsal to performance. The company, who are award-winning puppeteers, set out to reflect issues in Margate, tensions in the community and regeneration led by artistic innovations such as Turner Contemporary and a reinvigorated Theatre Royal.

“We recorded audience reaction after the performance and the major objections were a depiction on stage of a riot, with violence, arson and the destruction of part of the town.

"Many in the audience said they enjoyed the skill and presentation but others felt that there was another more positive side to Margate and hoped there would be a second production along those lines.

"A number of members of the audience were upset by a riot scene which they felt was a negative slant on the area and many said they couldn't recall anything similar happen in Margate in their lifetime. The word negative was used frequently."

One theatre-goer said Feral In Margate presented the town as a war zone and his mother added that she was proud of what the town is achieving.

She said: "We live here and we love it. There were never any riots in Margate."

Tortoise in a Nutshell director Ross Mackay said he was generally pleased with the reaction.

He said: “The audience felt we had reflected all sides of life in Margate as we intended."

Thanet councillor Iris Johnston saw the performance at the Theatre Royal.

She said: "It was a very clever piece of work and I had never seen anything like it before.

"Some people who are very passionate about Margate would have been upset with issues about drug taking and a street battle being shown.

"But it was a piece of work that made you think and the use of shadows and silhouettes was very interesting.

"I can see how people felt it was a jaded view of Margate but I think it was more a reflection of how things used to be and we're moving on - this must not detract from how clever and unique it was."

Head of BBC South East Mike Macfarlane said: “The films take an in depth look at the venues which play such a vital role in our communities and which rarely have the chance to step into the spotlight themselves.

"We wanted to follow the ups and downs of theatre life, hear their concerns for the future and ask questions of the people in power.”