Web's workshop drama

Thousands of theatre fans have a chance to shape a play for London's West End in a huge writing project over the internet.

Users will be able to fuel the drama and choose which direction the plot takes as well as making their own suggestions on www.Whatsonstage.com.

A professional writer will then turn ideas into a weekly online instalment in collaboration with the Soho Theatre and Writers' Centre in London, which will eventually stage the production.

Enthusiasts have already chosen the starting point for the play, which has been unveiled on the website. London and its famed theatreland disappear, much to the chagrin of passengers on a London-bound Eurostar.

The aim is to create the largest workshop collaboration for an original play.

When it is complete it will be given a one-off performance at the Soho Theatre on November 12 as part of the venue's new writing festival.

The work will be put together by playwright Sara Clifford, who has worked with the Young Vic and Soho Theatre and whose first screenplay, Dancing Girls, is under development.

Paul Sirett, literary manager of the Soho Theatre, said the project had already made a strong start.

"I was extremely impressed with the calibre of the ideas submitted in the preparatory stages. They have been very much on a par with those of commissioned playwrights," he said.

"We're always looking for new ways to discover and work with writers - so what better place to look than theatre audiences. At the same time, we're always looking for innovative ways to develop work for the stage."

Terri Paddock, editorial director of Whatsonstage.com, said: "Our users often complain about the lack of new writing on stage today. With this project, we're effectively setting them a challenge - come and be a part of the solution.

"We think audiences will rise to that challenge, too."

- NZPA