If you go down to the New Venture Theatre today, you're sure of a big surprise.

Because the current play being staged there is not only a prestigious UK premiere, it's also totally addictive.

It's one of those rare plays which makes you want to go straight back to the box office and book tickets for the next night.

Even rarer is its ability to sit in your mind like a time bomb and explode into every conversation you have.

It will dominate your thoughts, become your only talking point for days and inspire you to call every person in your phone book and demand they "go see it!".

The theatre company behind this funny, refreshing yet often uncomfortable and dark piece of theatre is A.P.E.

Based in Brighton, A.P.E beat off competition from West End theatres to secure Tape as a Brighton premiere.

Written as a play by Stephen Belber, Tape was first performed in New York but has now been made into a film starring Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke.

The drama unfolds as three old college mates struggle to come to terms with a past sexual encounter.

Cooped-up in a dingy Michigan motel room, memories clash, emotional scars rip open and egos battle to settle old scores.

James Lance (The Book Group, Teachers, I'm Alan Partridge) and Lee Ross (Secrets And Lies and The English Patient) nearly blow the audience out of their seats with the intensity of their performances.

As Vince, the drug-dealing volunteer fireman, and John, the budding film maker, Lance and Ross crank Belber's dialogue to its limits and master the sharpness of his comedy as if it were their own.

The duo's perceptive characterisations reveal the facade of their faded friendship, exposing bitter insecurity, raging jealousy and raw regret.

The tornado of stress which surrounds Vince and John is whipped into a near electrical storm by the cool, calm and beautiful Amy (Alexandra Barker).

The subject of Vince and John's lust and conflict, she unbalances their power struggle and dominates the stage with her understated yet compelling performance.

The charming but old-fashioned New Venture Theatre may seem an unlikely venue for a UK premiere but it captures the play's claustrophobic tension perfectly.

The incredible set, built by Royal Court designer Geoff Rose, includes real pine trees and wouldn't look out of place in one of London's leading theatres.

You would never guess Tape is Joanne McInnes' directorial debut.

The actress has sculpted the play with a simple and intuitive style which maximises the humour without losing crucial dark undertones.

She gives Belber's language the freedom to crackle but never allows the drama to become farcical or over the top.

Running for just over an hour, this one-act play hits you like a sensory freight train. Expect to leave excited, enthused and craving another dose.

For tickets, call 01273 746118.