A BOLTON writer took inspiration for his new play — after being on the receiving end of a heated rant about a parking space in Horwich.

From that moment, Chris Brown developed Mr Kitson — a self-centred, narcissistic knicker factory manager.

The character first appeared as a monologue at the Lowry last year, directed by former Brookside and Coronation Street star Sue Jenkins.

Now a full play, The Messiah gets its second coming at the Ruby Lounge in the Greater Manchester Fringe, starting this evening.

Chris, aged 31, said: "The row around the parking space was just a real eye opener. I couldn't get my head around this guy getting so wound up over something so trivial, and displaying such arrogance and venom. In the end I let him have the parking space, but I walked away with Mr Kitson."

Former Rivington and Blackrod high school pupil Chris developed an appetite for comedy after becoming co-creator and writer of macabre podcast The Penny Morthouse. He is also front-man of Bolton rock band Cardinal Saviour.

Chris said: "I initially wrote it as a monologue before developing it into a full play. The idea for the main character came from this argument I heard in Horwich.

"It is based in a knicker factory in the north and it is all taken from my life experiences growing up in Bolton. In it, the manager Mr Kitson takes himself far too seriously and runs his factory like a military operation — so much so that he is nicknamed 'Kitler'.

"The whole premise is about learning in life to laugh at yourself — and being able to smile when the chips are down."

Chris has been working with other actors including Chris Noone from Farnworth.

He said: "The reception has been fantastic and we've had some great reviews. I have been working with some fantastic actors, like Chris, to develop the characters in the way I saw them.

"Plus this is the first time that the venue has taken live theatre. Normally they just focus on music — so I'm really pleased to be performing the play there."

The Messiah will run at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester's Northern Quarter tonight, Saturday and again on July 17 and 18.

As part of the Greater Manchester Fringe event, playwright Colin Connor — who was nominated at this year's MTAs for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Early One Morning at the Octagon Theatre— will be showcasing his latest production about The Smiths.

Mr Smith is the story of how the Salford band changed the life of one man, and how this tempered his passionate yet humble approach to life in Manchester as a teacher.

It will run at the King's Arms in Salford tonight and tomorrow from 7.30pm.