TWO cast members of a Kent theatre group ended up in hospital after two separate accidents - and an old theatrical superstition could be to blame.

Rainham Theatrical Society has been playing to packed houses for its latest production, Puss in Boots, but things started to go wrong earlier this month.

Chorus member Sally West fell off the stage at the Oasthouse Theatre, Rainham, injuring her foot. She was taken to hospital and discovered she had suffered tissue damage.

Later that day, Dean Caston, who is playing comedy character Nurk, fell down the stairs and twisted his foot.

Dean carried on with the performance despite being in pain. But a trip to hospital revealed that he too had suffered tissue damage.

Dean believes the cause of this misfortune has something to do with an old theatrical superstition that it is bad luck to whistle in the dressing room.

He said: “Anyone who is caught whistling has to go out of the dressing room, turn round three times, knock and ask to come back in.

“So far during the production there have not been any problems. However, on Saturday we were watching a DVD of the panto in the dressing room which includes the song Give a Little Whistle and cast members whistling.

“So, the superstition of not whistling in the dressing room could be more than just an old theatrical tale.”

Both actors are resting and hoped to be back on stage for the final performances at the weekend.