Alexis Michalik's appearance in Castres cancelled by the National Rally mayor: "A highly political decision"

This cancellation has caused quite a stir in the theater world. The National Rally (RN) municipality of Castres, in the Tarn region, led by Florian Azéma, elected in March 2026, has decided to cancel the performance of "Passeport," the play by Franco-British director Alexis Michalik, winner of five Molière Awards, which was scheduled to run at the city's municipal theater in February 2027. The show, starring Kevin Razy, tells the story of Issa, a young Eritrean migrant left for dead in the Calais "Jungle," who embarks on a quest to obtain a residency permit. It has enjoyed undeniable public success: 750 performances in Paris since its premiere in January 2024, and nearly 80 on tour. The mayor justified his decision to AFP, stating that "Castres' public money must be spent properly" and that no "contractual agreement" had been signed by the previous administration. Alexis Michalik formally disputes this last point: "If that were not the case, it would not be included in the theater's cultural program," he told Le Figaro.

A mayor who hasn't seen the play, a decision denounced as censorship.

“It’s truly a highly political decision. This is really the issue that bothered the mayor,” Alexis Michalik told franceinfo. “He didn’t even read the text, even though he’s usually very conciliatory and benevolent,” he added to Le Figaro. The director described a “nationalist cultural policy, in a somewhat Trumpian way,” believing that the mayor “wants to create a minor controversy every three days to get people talking about him.” The cancellation triggered a strong reaction on the left: LFI MP Thomas Portes denounced “cultural censorship,” Communist Senator Ian Brossat spoke of “far-right ‘cultural cancellation’,” while MP Clémentine Autain declared that “wherever the far right comes to power, it directly attacks culture.” On the RN side, Jordan Bardella's advisor Alexandre Loubet spoke of a "double standard" and MP Philippe Ballard called for "putting an end to the pseudo-artists who make culture an instrument of propaganda".

A warning has been issued to the entire profession: "What will it be like at the national level?"

“I’m fortunate enough to be able to speak out and have media exposure. I’m taking this opportunity to sound the alarm: if the city council allows itself to take away a cultural venue’s freedom to program, what will happen if the National Rally ever comes to power?” Alexis Michalik declared on franceinfo. He is particularly worried about more vulnerable organizations. “Our play is doing well, so this cancellation doesn’t hurt us. But other companies will be much more affected than we are and could be in danger if some of their performances are canceled like this,” he warned Le Figaro. He hopes for a rescheduling under public pressure, without resorting to legal action so as not to put the theater—"it’s not its fault"—in a difficult position.