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Police called after screams from Frankenstein play

Andrew Morrison The Bradfordians Dramatic Society standing in the Tithe Barn. There are high arched wooden beam ceilings and stone slabs on the floor.Andrew Morrison
The group were practicing a violent scene when police were called over "concerns for welfare"

A drama rehearsal of a gothic horror play ended with police being called, after a concerned couple overheard the bloodcurdling screams.

The Bradfordians Dramatic Society in Wiltshire were going over their lines for Nick Dear's production of Frankenstein- a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel.

They were rehearsing one gruelling scene in particular, where the monster "bludgeons someone to death", at around 21:30 BST on Saturday night in the Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon.

Wiltshire Police said: "Officers attended the scene and found the screaming was in fact, part of a theatrical group rehearsing inside the venue."

Andrew Morrison A man wearing jeans and a blazer sitting on a wooden chair in the middle of the stage at Tithe Barn. It is dark and there is a blue smoky light filling the roomAndrew Morrison
The play explores themes of love, life, death, isolation, and man versus nature

The story follows the plight of Victor Frankenstein, a student of natural science who creates an artificial man from pieces of stolen corpses before bringing it to life.

He believes his discovery will lead to further scientific advances, but he is filled with fear and loathing after his creation turns against him.

"As you can imagine, in Frankenstein there's a few scenes that are quite dark," said Andrew Morrison, director of the drama society.

"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 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.

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

Andrew Morrison Three people sitting outside of the Tithe Barn during a sunny day Andrew Morrison
Mr Morrison said perhaps the screams were "a little too realistic" in the dark

Wiltshire Police said they were called shortly before 22:00 BST with reports of "concerns for the welfare of individuals" after "screaming was heard coming from inside" the 14th century barn.

"We’d like to thank the member of the public who did the right thing by reporting this information so we could ensure nobody was at risk of harm," they said.

Mr Morrison says "with hindsight", they will notify police of their future rehearsals.

The society have scheduled more performances of Frankenstein on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 19:30 BST at the Tithe Barn.

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