DESPITE its latest show being open for less than a week, One Minute at The Barn Theatre in Cirencester is already proving controversial.

A talking point with the Cotswold town's audience has been the language, making a few hot under the collar, with one audience member saying "you don't have to come to listen to all that swearing", and another taking to a town forum to describe the language as "disgusting, totally unnecessary and used excessively".

Others have been quick to defend the production, which is gathering five star reviews, with one commenting "no one is forced to watch, we are going down a bad road when others elect themselves as our moral guardians."

This follows hot on the heels of a letter, printed in last week's Standard, from South Cerney resident Peter Chadwick, asking why the characters in BAFTA-winning show This Country "have to say the 'F' word every two minutes? It adds nothing to the show and is, in fact, rather boring, tedious and repetitive."

Rather than shy away from the issue, the Barn Theatre has decided to meet it head-on by holding a debate after tonight's show at 9pm, hosted by arts journalist Terri Paddock, with the cast and director. The audience will be asked the question: "Is Cirencester ready for One Minute".

Entry is free and the theatre is inviting anyone who has enjoyed the show or who objects to its content, to join the debate and make their voice heard. The discussion will be streamed live on facebook. (facebook.com/BtheatreCiren).