Terrified residents called police after hearing gunshots and screams - without realising the sounds were from a theatre production.
Armed police were called to a street in Borough last night after a call from a concerned local.
Five vehicles carrying armed officers swarmed on Long Lane, oblivious of the immersive theatre performance being staged there.
Instead of a gunman at large, officers were greeted by the sight of people at Colab Theatre's 'Hunted' immersive show.
The 90 minute performance sees people split into teams of 10 and "hunted" down in an alernative reality.
A description of the show on Colab's website reads: "You are one of the most important people in the world and yet you've managed to live a peaceful life. That is because we have been protecting you but now our protection has been compromised.
"You are now being hunted. If you want to find out why - join us.
"Join us in our world of shadows and become the protagonist of your own adventure.
"Are you skilled enough to evade the evil agents of the ETF? Will you be able to escape?
"It all depends on you."
The description adds that the show is "a spy adventure like never before".
People who have attended the performance, which is not staged in a theatre but takes place in public spaces, described it as an experience which makes you "forget about everything else".
Police confirmed they were called to reports of gunshots and screams.
Borough Police, a neighbourhood team from Southwark, posted on Twitter: "Attended a call to gunshots / people screaming in Long Lane #SE1 last night. 5 ARV's attended.Turned out to be a show by @CoLab_Theatre.
"Local residents had been informed about their shows but one hadn't read the letter. Local police had no idea! 19MD #se1".
A spokesman for Colab told the Standard: "We are always pushing the boundaries further and further away from immersive and into the very lives of the audience. It's a big show with massive intensity so we haven't held back on making it feel real.
“Audience safety is our highest priority - even though we have done everything in our power to make all the correct authorities and neighbours aware of what the show involves, the police were called. We are glad that in an age where we're plugged into our phone, at least these things get responded to - another accolade to the solid community of Borough in a quickly developing London.”
