Clocks go forward, Times Square goes backwards

Some 2,000 people are in on the joke as New York collective stages epic April Fool's prank in Times Square.

Yesterday we brought you a roundup of some of the best corporate April Fool's pranks - today we have a stunt that caused tourists in Times Square to scratch their heads.

(ImprovEverywhere via YouTube)

It's all the work of New York-based 'prank collective' Improv Everywhere, which roped in over 2,000 people to move backwards through Times Square, making it look like time is going in reverse to unsuspecting tourists and New Yorkers.

"Participants met in Bryant Park to receive instructions and synchronize their watches before heading over to Times Square and blending in with the crowd," according to the group.

"At exactly 3:15 PM, participants began moving backwards for exactly five minutes."

You may not have heard of Improv Everywhere, but you've probably seen their work - they are also behind clips such as the annual No Pants Subway Ride (it does exactly what it says on the tin, so NSFW - unless W is a pretty liberal place).

They are also the team behind the 2008 classic Frozen Grand Central (below), which has clocked up over 32 million views in 5 years (and is that really who we think it is at 0.12?).

(ImprovEverywhere via YouTube)

Founded in 2001 by a guy called Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere aims to cause "scenes of chaos and joy in public places", and to date has executed over 100 "missions" involving tens of thousands of undercover agents.

"We get satisfaction from coming up with an awesome idea and making it come to life," the group says.

"We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them."

(Hat Tip: Simply Zesty)