Bomb found in Madrid theatre

Police said today an explosive device was found in a Madrid theatre moments before the start of religious satire show by an Italian comedian who has come under attack from conservative Roman Catholic groups in recent weeks.

The homemade device was found in the alternative Alfil Theatre yesterday shortly before popular comic artist Leo Bassi was to perform his latest one-man show titled The Revelation.

Some 200 people were in the theatre at the time. Bassi’s show was cancelled but expected to continue today.

The device comprised two containers of inflammable liquid and explosive powder. A wick designed to ignite the materials was burning when theatre staff found the device.

A police spokeswoman said officers were interviewing theatre staff, who said they saw a man running from the theatre minutes before they found the device. She said police had no immediate idea who might have planned the attack.

Bassi says he has had to hire bodyguards after receiving death threats from Catholic groups who claim the show is offensive.

Two groups have filed suits against the comedian and the theatre.

The show, an irreverent and satirical two-hour monologue, criticises what it sees as the conservative and reactionary doctrine of the Roman Catholic church and pays homage to philosophers of the European Enlightenment, such as Descartes and Voltaire.

Bassi told reporters today the device, threats and protests were evidence of intolerance among certain religious people. He said he had played the show in several parts of Europe and elsewhere in Spain without any problem.

The show began on January 17 and finishes on March 12.