... And Don keeps his clothes on

Nicole Kidman did it. Kathleen Turner is doing it. Now Donald Sutherland wants to take his clothes off on stage - but no one will let him.

The 64-year-old actor, who returned to the London stage last night in Enigmatic Variations at the Savoy Theatre, has told his co-star he longs to do a "Nicole Kidman" and "Kathleen Turner". Both actresses have bared all in London theatres recently, Miss Kidman in The Blue Room and Miss Turner in The Graduate. Sutherland's co-star John Rubinstein said after the opening night: "We have both said we would love to take our clothes off but they don't want us to.

"We were really disappointed. Donald says he would absolutely love to, but he has shown his butt in movies countless times. As for me, they keep putting me in a coat and hat."

Rubinstein described his West End stage debut as "thrilling in more ways than one". He said: "I used to come to London with my father as a child and we would always stay at the Savoy and go to the Savoy Theatre. "My first impression of London was this building. To be acting here is extremely meaningful and humbling for me. And I adore acting with Donald."

The play is a family affair for Sutherland, whose wife, former actress Francine Racette, 53, is co-producer.