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France's first Shakespearean-style theatre vandalised

Critics of the 6-million-euro wooden-exterior theatre near Calais have argued that the structure is a waste of public money.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

France's first ever Shakespearean Globe-style theatre has been vandalised a week before its official opening, reports the BBC.

Slogans including "Irresponsible Politicians - Shame" were spray-painted in orange over the theatre's all-wood exterior, south of Calais.

The theatre's British architect Andrew Todd said it was an act of "politically-motivated desecration" by the far right.

Critics argue that the theatre is a waste of money.

Other slogans daubed on its exterior as well on walls in the neighbouring Château d'Hardelot included "Wart" and "The Debt".

"This was not the act of a bunch of teenage malcontents; it was a well-organised, adult, carefully-executed stunt relaying through violence the messages expressed already in the political sphere by the extreme right," said Mr Todd.

Read more of this report from the BBC.