Police interrupt amateur dramatics group rehearsing Frankenstein after couple report loud screams

A drama rehearsal of the gothic horror play Frankenstein was interrupted by police after a frightened nearby couple reported bloodcurdling screams thinking they were real.

The Bradfordians Dramatic Society of Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire were rehearsing a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel last Saturday in the town's 14th century Tithe Barn.

The group were performing one particularly gruesome scene in which the Frankenstein monster bludgeons someone to death at around 9pm, when a couple living near the barn overheard the fictional victim's screams.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said that officers were called shortly before 10pm with reports of 'concerns for the welfare of individuals' after screaming was heard coming from inside the old barn.

However, police officers, as well as the couple who called them to the rescue, quickly realised there was no real-life murder to prevent.

'Officers attended the scene and found the screaming was in fact, part of a theatrical group rehearsing inside the venue,' the spokesman added.

Andrew Morrison, director of the Bradfordians Dramatic Society, said: 'As you can imagine, in Frankenstein there's a few scenes that are quite dark.

'It's quite scary, there's a couple of deaths, it's violent in places as well.'

Mr Morrison said the group wanted to rehearse at the time of night they would be performing the scene, which likely contributed to the couple's concern.

'They were pretty scared,' said Mr Morrison.

'I felt a bit guilty actually, because it can't have been much fun for them.

'However, they were really good about it and they saw the funny side almost immediately,' he added.

Mr Morrison said that with hindsight, they would notify police in advance of their future rehearsals.

The society is due to perform Frankenstein on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 7.30pm at the Tithe Barn in Bradford-on-Avon.