New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-06
FiTiL REALISM on THE STAGE.
MIsHArs GN CARRYING OFT THE STAGE DIREC-
TIoNs THAT HAVE ENDED IN LOSS OF LIFE

MIsHArs IN CARRYING OFT THE STAGE DIREc.
TIoNs THAT HAVE ENDED IN LOSS OF LIFE
Such piece of realism on the stage as that which
occurred in a London theatre the other day. where
actor In a duel scene inflicted through mshap
a mortal wound upon OF his stage comrades. Is
by no means infrcquent. Accidents fatal and seri
Gus humorous ana tragic constantly occur in stage
land and many actor can show scars received in
the mimic strife. The traditions OF the stage are
full Of serious and comic tragedies.
one such is said to have occurred at La Scala.
Milan I'm the presence of royalty itself II was at
the finale of a production of Fra Davolo," then
the chief operate sensation In the closing act the
captured bandit chief is led UP rocky path on mis-
way prison IIc turns TO battle with his guards.
wien Lorenzo orders his troops TO fire and Fra
Davoo dies. on this particular night the pictur-
csque bandit. who had always made a traditional
fall. that he would remain the central figure OF
the tablcau on which the curtain descended. intro
duced what appeared TO the audience some new
iwsiness He gave one short dcspairing shrek.
and then fell forward from his elevation into the
very midst OF the chorus Of soldiers and villagers.
When the members Of the company ran TO pick
mp the singer he dead. bullet had pierced his
heart In the confusion one OF the soldiers a
beardless youth and recent addition to the chorus.
quietly passed out OF the theatre. He was pursued
and arrested days later. when the romantic
discovery was made that the young soldier was in
had quarrelled some time before and unknown to
him the girl Joined the chorus OF La Scala. loaded
the property gun with deadly bullet. and thus In
troduced some startling realism on the Italian stage
II statistics of theatrical accidents were compiled
IL would be curious note the large number OF mis-
haps which happen in the performance OF Romeo
and Juliet" More than one well-known actor bears
on his face and body the marks and scars inflicted
by rapiers In the quarrel seen. in the famous trag
edy A few years ago AT a performance OF romeo
and Juliet" in Manchester England, the conclusion
Of the play was tragic. indeed. The actors were
amateurs All were greatly excited. and the TWO
reprcscntatives OF Mercutio and Tybalt fought
with an unhappy realism. A purely accidental
thrust by Mercuto caused Tybalt to fall TO the
eoor a nd before the audience understood what was
the matter the unfortunate Tybalt had expired
Fortunately the Mercutio of the performance "A
coroner's Jury returned verdict of death by mis-
adventure. ... .. f.o..
,onth i'm the representation OF this tragedy: II had
iitfie - Derence" he says. ''n the run Of Romeo
ard Inlet when produced by Miss Mary Ander
Son rhich taught me to beware Of stage weapons
Us once PLAYING Romeo to the Juliet of the late
Adelaide Nelson. at the Iiaymarket. when |
enuipred myself with dagger sharp as "A razor. At
ono Of The dress rehearsals Miss Nelson noticed
his weapon and earnestly entreated me 10 substi-
tute a blunted weapon for H. did so. and thanked
her for her suggestion. During the Lyceum run OF
Romeo and Juliet | forgot her wise counsel. and
the result was that fell on my own dagger. which
was so sharp that IL pierced me In the side. Since
then have taken the lesson to heart