Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis spoke at the Rose Theatre about how Shakespeare had influenced him.

Following an invitation by Kingston University, the leading economist told the audience how much he values the bard's work, and art in general, as opposed to the work of economists.

He said: "To a very large extent my own understanding of economics has been influenced by the inability of economists to capture what matters in human nature.

"The language and mindset of economists is so dry. Every individual is depicted as an automaton, robot-like and lacking in emotion. And then you turn to Shakespeare – and every single character is like a republic of madness and conflict."

During the talk, he likened observing the EU to watching Othello and compared German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Macbeth.

Self-deprecatingly, he said he warned the university’s Peter Hall professor of Shakespeare, Richard Wilson, that he felt unqualified to talk on the subject.

He said: "Richard assured me that was what he wanted – somebody who is not a Shakespeare scholar to come and explain how the Bard's work has affected his thinking.

“Well, the blame is entirely on Richard for the result – but it is such a splendid invitation, I couldn't possibly refuse."