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Russell plays 'Mindgame'

Director unveils Off Broadway play at Soho

By GORDON COX

'Mindgame' director Ken Russell at the Off Broadway premiere.

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Ken Russell has helmed pics and operas all over the world, but he made his straight-play directing debut, "Mindgame," Sunday at the modest Off Broadway venue Soho Playhouse.

Produced by a team including Monica Tidwell, Darren Lee Cole, Joseph Callari and Michael Butler ("Hair"), the imported Brit thriller may be toplined by Oscar winner Keith Carradine, but it's still prey to the tough economics of Off Broadway.

The opening night after-party was held in the theater's crowded little downstairs bar. And budgetary constraints had one notable effect on the script, too.

Early on in the show, a character remarks that it's 8:15 p.m. But that's not how it was originally written.

"It should have been 5:15," Russell said. "But we couldn't afford the lights."