the Théâtre du Soleil admits their “seriousness” but denies the “systemic” nature

Targeted by a legal investigation since the summer, the Théâtre du Soleil is going through severe turbulence. After a new article from Mediapart published on Sunday, Ariane Mnouchkine’s troupe released a press release on Wednesday in which it rejects the existence of“systemic abuse” within it, while recognizing “extreme gravity” accusations of sexual violence.

The Ministry of Culture, for its part, asked the Théâtre du Soleil to “conduct an audit” independent on its operation, which will start the week of December 15, we learned Thursday from the ministry and the company. An internal audit was carried out within the troupe between the end of April and mid-May, following accusations of “sexual excesses” made at the end of March by the actress Agathe Pujol before the parliamentary commission of inquiry into sexual violence in culture.

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At the end of March, before the parliamentary commission of inquiry into sexual violence in culture, the actress Agathe Pujol reported “sexual excesses” within the company. A volunteer within the troop, she declared having been the victim of an attempted rape in 2010 by one of its members when she was a minor. She had described more generally a “constant sexual pressure” and a climate of omerta.

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“Unfounded allegations”

Following this testimony, reported to the courts by the commission, an investigation into “rape of a 15-year-old minor and sexual assault of a 15-year-old minor” was entrusted in the summer of 2025 to the Minor Protection Brigade, according to the prosecution to AFP.

On Sunday, Mediapart published new accusations, ranging from harassment to rape, particularly against minors, collected from eight women, former employees or volunteers. Two actors, who have since left the troupe, are accused of these facts which allegedly took place between 2010 and 2025. Both reject the accusations.

“The Théâtre du Soleil obviously does not deny the extreme seriousness of the crimes denounced by the victims and reported in the press”reacted the company in a press release. However, she rejects the “unfounded allegations of bigotry and systemic abuse completely contrary to its history and how it actually operates”considering that they call into question “his work, his integrity, his honor”.

Internal investigation

The victims “have been, or will be able to be, very soon heard by investigators and legitimate magistrates” et “those involved will be too”continues the company.

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In March, Le Soleil, a place of theatrical experimentation and artistic utopia founded in 1964, expressed its “astonishment” and announced the launch of an internal investigation, closed in mid-May and the conclusions of which were transmitted to the courts. Around sixty testimonies were collected via this internal investigation, Ariane Mnouchkine told AFP.

In the spring, the theater also declared that it had excluded two members of its company and appointed a “referent” dedicated to issues of sexual violence in 2024, after behavior ” inappropriate ” reported to the director. According to The Worldthe Ministry of Culture recently requested that an independent audit be carried out within the company.

A new show from the Théâtre du Soleil, the second part ofHere are the dragonsis scheduled for the beginning of March at the Cartoucherie de Vincennes, in eastern Paris.