A 'Too Realistic' Black Comedy Hits the Brighton Fringe

Police called to 'too real' rehearsal for Brighton Fringe Play. Police were called to a pub after a passer-by mistook rehearsals for a Brighton Fringe play for a real incident.

The cast of Hastings-based theatre company 'It's Not Us' were rehearsing their brand new dark comedy Time Please in preparation for a pre-Brighton Fringe preview.

In the play, an unhinged regular takes a pub landlord and lady hostage, threatening to blow up the boozer unless his bizarre demands are met. However, rehearsals took an unexpected turn when a passer by heard a commotion from behind the closed pub doors and called the police, thinking a genuine disturbance was taking place.

'The play is a bit shouty and sweary,' said Kate Tym who co-wrote the script and plays the part of feisty publican, Cath. 'It seems it was a bit too real. Someone passing called the police saying there was a "woman in distress."'

Three police cars soon arrived on the scene, to find rehearsals in full swing. 'Hats off to the police for a speedy response,' said John Knowles, co-author, who plays Cath's husband, Steve. 'Fortunately, there was no trouble afoot and police were greeted by three jolly thespians, albeit with one (Garry Fox, who plays Keith) dressed in a fake bomb vest. 'We're taking it as a testament to the realism of the play,' said Garry.

Publican Chris Leach said, 'That's the first time in nearly five years that the police have been called to our pub!'

Time Please held a sell-out Brighton preview in Hastings on Tuesday evening, and arrives at the Bee's Mouth in Brighton from 25-29 May.

It's Not Us Theatre Company's other plays include 2016's sell out A Penny Pincher's Christmas Carol, which already has pre-bookings for 2017.

You can see Time Please at the Bee's Mouth for Brighton Fringe (25-29 May), The Printer's Playhouse in Eastbourne (6-8 June) and a further two dates at the Kings Head in Islington.

Time Please is suitable for those aged 16 plus and includes swearing.

Time Please by It's Not Us

The Bee's Mouth Bar and Gallery, 10 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AE

25-29 May, 7.30-8.40pm, £8/£6

www.time-please.co.uk

Tickets: brightonfringe.org