Yoko Ono to repeat naked appeal for world peace

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Yoko Ono is to perform one of her art "happenings" in which she invites her audience to cut off her clothing until she is naked on stage.

Ono, the widow of John Lennon, first performed the conceptual work Cut Piece as a peace protest in Japan in 1964.

At the age of 70, she is to repeat the protest in Paris later this month because of growing political tension in the world.

During the original stunt she took to the stage in a white gown, wielding a pair of scissors. Members of the audience were invited up to cut off the garment, piece by piece, while she remained motionless until she was left naked.

The original performance predated her relationship with Lennon but became one of her most notorious conceptual pieces. It was not the last time she appeared naked - she famously posed without clothes alongside her husband for the album Two Virgins.

Ono, who will perform at the Theatre Le Ranelagh, said she would ask the audience to cut off her clothing and "send it to the one you love".

Ono has used a variety of media for peace protests including billboards, demonstrations, the "Bed-In", films and records. She recently used a board overlooking Piccadilly Circus in London for a peace message.

She said she was moved to act because of political changes since the terror attacks in America on 11 September 2001. She said: "Force and intimidation were in the air. People were silenced. Cut Piece is my hope for World Peace. When I first performed this work, in 1964, I did it with some anger and turbulence in my heart.

"This time I do it with love for you, for me, and for the world."