People are used to waiting for ages on the London underground, but you can tell that the gap between trains is getting ridiculous when there's time to stage a play there.

Actually, the Aldwych tube station is closed, and since officially being wound down has been used for location shooting by film crews. But now, for the first time, the station will house a stage play.

The piece in question is In the Solitude of Cotton Fields by Bernard-Marie Koltes, under the direction of Gordon Anderson and with a two-man cast of Zubin Varla and David Westhead, who will move through the deserted station followed (it is hoped) by the audience. Also flitting through the shadows may be the ghosts of actors who used to perform in the Royal Strand Theatre, part of whose site is now occupied by the defunct underground station.

The production is to run Sept. 21-29, at 7:30 PM, with a late-night special at 10:30 PM Sept. 25. Tickets available from the Bridewell Theatre box office on 020 7936 3456.

by Paul Webb Theatrenow