By Ben Davies BBC News political reporter

The two veteran politicians would make an interesting coupling

Blame it on Tony Benn - he started the trend playing to packed houses up and down the country with his one man show.

Once they had seen the rapturous reception the veteran left winger received from admittedly partisan audiences, every Westminster veteran with a tale to tell wanted to jump on the bandwagon - with varying degrees of success.

Tony Blair's ex-communications chief Alastair Campbell span out his life story on the stages of provincial theatres.

An Audience With Ann Widdecombe has become a perennial favourite with the Conservative faithful, ex-Tory MP and writer Gyles Brandreth also dons the greasepaint - as does white-suited former Independent MP Martin Bell and disgraced former minister Jonathan Aitken.

Double act

George Galloway's one-man became a popular draw, with the controversial left-wing firebrand claiming a big boost in ticket sales after his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

Even ousted Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith had a crack at treading the boards.

I view the whole thing with the apprehension of a Tottenham player looking at a plate of lasagne Stephen Pound

But now there is a possibility of a fresh spin on the old formula - Conservative grandee Douglas Hurd and SDP founder Shirley Williams are considering a double act.

The former Tory foreign secretary would only confirm he is in talks about holding what he calls a "conversation" - and that Baroness Williams' name is just one of several in the frame. He envisages it would take place at events like literary festivals. No doubt followed by a book signing and a few wines.

DVD sales

But would the Williams/Hurd alliance put bums on seats? "These things are always a draw which is why more and more companies are organising them," Lord Hurd predicted.

But the peer's confidence was not, alas, shared by Labour MP Stephen Pound.

"This sounds like Mogadon twice nightly," said Mr Pound.

"Mind you there could be a lot of insomniacs would find it valuable. And they could release DVDs of it to calm down unruly children on long car journeys.

"One thing's for certain the audiences won't be slashing seats and screaming at this show. Personally I'd find watching paint dry more appealing. I view the whole thing with the apprehension of a Tottenham player looking at a plate of lasagne."