Bush satire back in Paris

The play is critical of the US President

A satire about US President George W. Bush will return to the stage in Paris next week after an attack on its director forced the production to close.

Attilio Maggiulli had his face slashed by two attackers earlier this month, who also vandalised the entrance of the Comedie Italienne theatre.

Maggiulli closed the play, George W. Bush ou le Triste Cowboy de Dieu (George W. Bush or God's Sad Cowboy) just a week after it had opened over fears for the actors' safety.

The play, written shortly before the recent war in Iraq, features characters representing Bush, Tony Blair and Osama Bin Laden.

It labels Bush a "philistine, spineless bigot and a former alcoholic" and expresses astonishment that he could "run the most powerful nation in the world and determine a new world order".

The play also hints at a romantic relationship between Bush and Blair.

"We were the victims of a cowardly attack. I am fighting for freedom of expression," Maggiulli said earlier this month.

The play will resume on 20 May at the Comedie Italienne theatre in Paris.