Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-08
EXCITING SCENE INATHEATRE

Narrow Escape OF Mile. schneider.
Much CONSERVATION was created in st.
James Theatre, London, July q, by an
occurrence of very alarming nature.
Towards the close Of Offenbach's ''Orphee
aux ENTERS" to heighten the effect of
the scene, a quantity Of colored fire is
burned on the stage. Mile. Schneider
having approached too near one Of the
trays of the burning compost ton, her
dress ignited, and in an instant she was
eHveloped in flames. The audience (SaYs
the Starr rose in a state Of sudden alarm,
and several occupants Of the stalls and
boxes leaped on to the stage and threw
their coats over the actress, who pres
served the utmost GOODNESS throughout
the trying scene. The curtain fell, but
was raised shortly afterwards, in compli>
ance with the demand of the anxious
spectators, and it was then discovered
that though the slight dress worn ON the
occasion had been completely destroyed,
Mile. Schneider had fortunately escaped
without injury.
An eyewitness thus describes the
painfully thrilling scene.
"In the last scene of '0rphee aux Ems
| fers' occurs the apotheosis of Eurydice.
l With Jupiter on one side and Pluto on
the other, she, standing Oh pedestal, is
| ascending to the clouds, surrounded by
flames and lightning. In an instant one
Of these flashes set fire TO the back OF
1 the skirts of Mile. Schneider's dress. A
spasm of horror shot through the house.
The tarlatan blazed so suddenly that her
companions on the pedestal had scarcely
realized what had happened, when with
Shrek she sprang from between them
on to the stage. The leap must have
been at least twelve feet. The actors
closed round her, but she broke from
them. Jupiter caught her and with his
mantle, which he had torn from ms
shoulders, attempted to stitte the flame.
| As an opening occurred in the crowd,
could see the 3rima donna struggling
| on the ground, on fire and almost with
out any dress left.
"Some gentlemen sprang from the pi
boxes and assisted in throwing coats, Of
whatever came to hand, about her. j usi
then the curtain was dropped out. l
4 seemed an age DeloIe ~ lOso @Sohl'
was pushed about by the assistants In tn
exciting scene behind it, while noise ant
screams were heard. A few of the actor
came before it and tried to calm the pub
lie, to satisfy whose anxiety the curtai
was again drawn up, and Mile. Schneide
was seen supported by the manager an
others, half fainting, and recumbent
their arms. She had yet sufficient pres
ence of mind to bow with the sweetes
and most tremulous smile | ever beheld
to reasure the audience, who, standln
: up, burst into thunders of congratulator
applause. Medical assistance was pres
, emit, remedies were instantly supplied
and so successfully, that was informe
Mile. Schneider would be able to play t
morrow night. The prinsG donna lei
the theater in about an hour after II
accident for her residence at st. John
4 Wood. The escape is most wonderful
h The Bacchante's dress was quite burne
!. away; the mdillOt even was almost d.
: stroyed. Yet fortunately Mile. SchneId'
:. has received only some scorches, whi(
r give no apprehension of any dangero'
II consequences"