Avignon Festival on the Brink

The programme of the Avignon theatre festival was scrapped for the second day running yesterday when freelance actors and technicians continued the strike which has already caused half-a-dozen smaller festivals to be cancelled.

The dispute claimed another casualty when demonstrators halted work on a Jack Nicholson film in Paris.

The Avignon festival director, Bernard Faivre d'Arcier, refused to comment on the likelihood of the event being cancelled for the first time in its 57-year history, but organisers said a final decision was likely "within 24 hours".

Theatre, dance, film and music professionals are striking in protest at government-approved changes to a unique unemployment fund which ensures them a living wage when they are between jobs.

The culture minister, Jean-Jacques Aillagon, said yesterday that he was satisfied his reservations about the changes had been addressed.

"It is intolerable that France's festivals, which play such a vital part in our cultural life, are being taken hostage in such an irresponsible manner," he said.

The biggest victim of the strike so far is the Francofolies rock festival in La Rochelle, due to open on Friday.

Demonstrators halted shooting in Paris of the as yet unnamed Nicholson film, which also stars Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

"If they discourage foreign film companies from coming, then there's no work for anyone," Nicholson said.

Riot police removed demonstrators trying to stop last night's Rolling Stones concert at the Stade de France.