Daniel Hoevels, an actor performing in Friedrich Schiller's play Mary Stuart, about Mary Queen of Scots, almost gave the performance of a lifetime earlier this week. His character is supposed to commit suicide using a knife to slash his throat, but somehow a real knife ended up in his hand. The audience is said to have applauded what they thought was a stunning special effect, and only realized something was wrong when the actor staggered off stage to receive treatment.

Submitted on 12/12/2008

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7777086.stm

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I've been involved in amateur theater for over 10 years and have seen plenty of performances where guns, knives, swords, etc. are used. Virtually every theater I've worked in has very strict rules regarding the use of prop weapons (guns must have filled barrels, blades must be dull, etc.) But even more importantly, the actors themselves inspect weapons before they go on stage, especially when they're using a trick collapsible knife that they intend to use to stab themselves or others with. In fact I'm currently involved in a show where just such a suicide is acted out, with a knife to the neck. (I'll be running the lights tonight.) This actor should have known to check the knife before going on stage and tested it to make sure the blade properly retracts into the hilt, and also insisted on using a knife with a dulled blade. He's ultimately the one responsible for his own safety, and that includes verifying that props like this knife work as planned. Thanks!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Aside from all that Bruce pointed out, once the blade touched this guy's skin, why did he continue cutting? I know there's a certain amount of follow thru, but that much?

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