Man arrested after punters flee in terror

Comedian Ralph Brown’s Fringe show was interrupted by a man waving a gun this week.

Audience members made a run for the door when the man burst into the Waverley Bar brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, but which was later found to be a replica or BB gun.

A witness told the Edinburgh Evening News: ‘A man came in, started waving a gun, wrestled with the comedian and everyone ran out. I’m sure it was a fake gun but it seemed and looked real at the time. Everyone ran for the door instantly. We were convinced it was a real gun.’

One punter posted online: ‘Great show tonight by @RalphBComedy, right up until the point where someone pulled a gun on him! We’ve seen some odd shit at @edfringe, but an armed hostage situation takes the fucking biscuit.’

Brown himself posted simply: ‘Wild show last night!’ Chortle has reached out to him for further comment.

Police Scotland said: ‘We were made aware of a disturbance at an event at premises on St Mary’s Street in Edinburgh at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, August 9. No one was injured and a 43-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.’

Brown is a former Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist, whose show, Ralpha Male, kicks off at 10pm nightly

Last week, fellow Fringe comedian Colin Higgins needed hospital treatment after a female audience member punched him in the face at his show.

Published: 12 Aug 2023