Tutu guest stars in US prison drama

Theatre-goers in New York had a surprise at last night's performance of Guantanamo: "Honor Bound to Defend Freedom", the documentary play first staged in London that explores the plight of British detainees in the detention camp. Making a special guest-star appearance was Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Nobel Peace Prize-winner was invited to play the part of the British judge, Lord Steyn, objecting to the detention of British citizens in Guantanamo. The Archbishop has been an outspoken critic of the American facility, crammed with prisoners accused of ties to terror networks, including al-Qa'ida.

The play, written by Victoria Brittain and Gillian Slovo and based on actual testimony from British detainees who were released, was warmly reviewed after it transferred to an off-Broadway theatre in New York at the end of August. The Archbishop was to play the part of Justice Steyn - who declares in the play that Guantanamo represents a "stain on the US justice system" - last night and again today. He also agreed to participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience after the final curtain. Also expected to make a guest appearance soon is the actor Dennis Hopper.