The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-06 00:00:00

The Accidents in Theatres.

A deputation of the theatrical managers of the metro-
polis, specially convened by the Lord Chamberlain, attended
at his office yesterday at 12 o'clock, to confer with him on
the subject of the late lamentable accidents from fire, by
which an unfortunate ballet girl lately lost her life. The
gentlemen who attended were Mr Webster, Mr E. T. Smith,
Mr E. J. James, Mr Emden, Mr Nelson Lee, Mr Barnett
(for Mr Fechter), Mr Bishop (for Mrs Selby), Mr Doug-
lass, Mr Lane, Mr Brydon, Mr M. Abrahams, Mr R.
Edgar, Mr George Vining, Mr F. Fenton, Mr M‘Gee (for
Mr Mapleson), Mr V. HazAton, Mr and Mrs Swanborough,
Mr Falconer, Mr Chatterton, Messrs Frampton and Fen-
ton, Mr Conquest, Mr Cave, and Mr T. Campbell. Mr
Buckstone and Mr W. Harrison were unavoidably absent.
The deputation being introduced,
His LORDSHIP said-1 have asked you to meet me here
in consequence of the late accidents by fire at the theatres;
also in consequence of a letter from the Coroner for Middle-
sex relative to the accident to and death of the columbine
at the Pavilion Theatre, Perhaps I had better read that
letter to you :
Coroner's office, 23, Spital-square, Feb. 4.
Sir—At an inquest I held en the 29th ult. at the London
Hospital on the body of a young woman,.
the columbine at
the Pavilion Theatre, who lost her life consequence of
her dress taking fire during the performance, the jury have
requested me to address you on the subject, and to recom-
mend that in future the dress of ballet dancers should be
rendered uninflamrnable, and that all ground lights should
be protected, in which I concur.—l have the honour to be
your most obedient servant,
J. HUMPHREYS, Coroner for Middlesex.
To the Right Hon. the Lord Chamberlain.
You are aware that on the occasion of the accident at the
Princess's last spring I called the attention of the managers
to it by a circul,tr. The two points to which I now wish to
call your attention are—first, the covering of the ground-
lights or footlights; secondly, the means of enforcing upon
the ballet girls the use of a preparation, like the s lution of
potash, to prevent their dresses catching fire. I wish to call
on you, gentlemen, to offer any observations which you may
have to make on those paints.
Mr. EMDEN said he was afraid that employing such a
solution would be useless. In fact, at the Olympic they had
used it, but unfortunately the underclothing of the ballet
girls not being also rendered uninflimmable, the precaution
was useless.
Mr. E. I'. SMITH said that the great difficulty was that
theatrical managers had nit control enough over the girls
employed at the theatre to make them observe the precautions
taken for their safety. As far as Astley's Theatre was con-
cerned they could not go within three feet of the footlights.
The LORD CHAMBERLAIN---Suppose we made it compul-
sory to adopt the use of these solutions?
Mr. E. T. SMITH—Then they would not get engage-
ments.

The LORD CHAMBERLAIN—I have received several let-
ters, one from a magistrate. suggesting that there should be
legislation on the subject. I only wish to point out to you
what is the feeling of the public mind in this respect.
Mr. NELSON LEE said that the order issued by his lord-
ship on the occasion of the last accident he knew had been
faithfully observed—namely, to have water-pots at each
side, blankets and guards to the float and foot of the theatre,
as well as other guards. That, he thought, was as far as
managers could go. They gave every possible order to the
ballet girls to keep clear from the ground rows.
The LORD CRA.MBERLAIN suggested that in the event of
another accident the jury might make the manager respon-
sible, and bring in a verdict of manslaughter against him.

Mr. E. T. SMITII said he believed there were more acci
dents from fire in private houses in proportion than al
theatres.

Mrs. SIVINBOROUGH said that at the Strand Theatre
they had water ready on each side of the stage, wet blankets
and firemen always in attendance, besides the gas men. There
was, besides, protection from the fanlights, and, in event
of having a ballet, wirework in front of every other light.
The LORD CHAMBERLAIN pointed out that it was from
the ground lights that the greatest danger arose.
Mr. B. WEBSTER said that if the ballet attended to the
orders that were given it was quite impossible for them to
come in contact with fire, but it was impossible to make the
girls obey these orders. There were ground pieces placed
round all ground lights to mask them, and the ballet had no
business to get over these ground pieces, which were gene-
rally 18 inches in height. It was doing so that caused the
recent death of the columbine. She had gone where she
had positive orders not to go, and had been cautioned night
after night as to the probable consequences.
Mr. CAVE—The underclothing of the ballet is in their
own care, so that rendering the skirt uninflammable is of
itself useless.
The LORD CHAMBERLAIN—But is it not the dress which
catches fire?
Mr. B. WEBSTER—No ; it is generally the under petf

coats. They generally, instead of wearing crinoline, have
13 or 14 gauze petticoats.
Mr, Ca.vE produced a printed circular which ho had
printed and posted behind the scenes of his theatre (Maryle-
bone), calling attention to the recent accidents and to the
rules and regulations for the ballet, imposing fines and in
some cases instant dismissal for infractions by which those
offending would place themselves in danger of catching fire.
He said that during the present season he had discharged
several girls for not obeying those instructions.
Mr, WEssTEn and Mr. ROIRY explained the nature of
the lights used at their respective theatres, and the pre-
cautions taken to prevent the girls' dresses taking fire; the
former gentleman saying that all managers were most
anxious to prevent such accidents. He had even adopted
the plan of sending them up to their dressing-rooms as soon
as they were off the stage.
Mr. JOHN DOUGLAS exhibited a model of the arrange-
ment of the lights at the Pavilion Theatre, and pointed out
the position and guards to the lights. On another sugges-
tion being made as to the comparative infrequency of such
accidents at theatres as compared with private houses,
The LORD CHAMBERLAIN observed that the public took
no notice of what occurred at private houses, but they
would take notice of what occurred at places of public
amusement, and therefore it was his duty, if accidents oc-
curred, to call attention to the fact, with a view to prevent
their recurrence.
Mr. FALCONER and Mr. BISHOP deprecated the idea of
legislation on the subject as futile, and because it might
lead to encroachments which would interfere with managers
in the legitimate conduct of their business.
Reference being made to the models, Mr. Webster, Mr,
E. T. Smith, and other gentlemen explained the different
systems of lighting adopted in their respective theatres and
the precautions taken to prevent accidents.
Mr. E. T. SMITH said ho was sure that both theatrical
managers and the public would feel greatly indebted to his
lordship for the great interest he had shown, and for his
extreme desire to prevent those accidents by calling the
attention of managers again to the subject. His lordship
had heard from the different gentlemen present the extreme
difficulty experienced in inducing the girls to keep out of
danger ; he would therefore suggest that a circular should be
sent by his lordship, which, being posted behind the scenes
of the different theatres, all engaged there might read. That
would be a caution which probably might greatly assist the
efforts of managers, while it would exonerate his lordship
from any supineness in the matter.
Reverting again to the question of rendering the clothing
uninflammable the Lord Chamberlain said he supposed
managers could have no control over the under dresses of
the ballet girls.
This was at once affirmed by all present, and it was
pointed out that it was generally the under clothing which
first took fire. With respect to the solutions for rendering
muslin and tarlatan uninflammable, it was pointed out that
its effect was not durable, Mrs. Swanborough stating that
it did not last more than a fortnight.
Mr. VneING said he had purchased all his tarletans where
they were advertised as having been steeped, and gave an
instance of the carelessness of a ballet girl passing close to a
dangerous light the moment the gas•man's back was turned,
both being at once fined for the offence.
Some further conversation deprecating legislation then
took pla2e, Mr. Bishop pointing out the difficulty that en-
actments which would suit the arrangements in large
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conviction that every possible care was taken.
The LORD CHAMBERLAIN asked whether it would be