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SLOPPY PROP MANAGEMENT NEARLY KILLS ACTOR
What is the last thing you probably hear a director say to the cast before a performance?
It is no doubt: “…have a great show. Break a leg!—and check your props!”
This accident, sickly promoted on late-night talk shows as if it were an episode from CSI, is no laughing matter to those of us who work in theatre. On the contrary, it is a grim reminder to theatre workers that when handling certain props onstage lives are at stake.
While news reports varied greatly from the highly exaggerated to the boring—the basics of this story are thus:
On December 6, 2008, 30-year-old Swedish born German actor, Daniel Hoevels was performing the role of Mortimer in a production of “Mary Stuart” at Vienna’s Burgtheater. He had done this role before. The action calls for him to pull a knife and cut his own throat.
Instead of being given the regular dulled prop knife, a new and substitute knife was handed to Mr. Hoevels. Right on cue, Mr. Hoevels put the knife to his neck and slipped it across. Unfortunately, it was a real knife that had been handed to him. His own blood mixed with fake blood on his hand created an ultra-realistic suicide scene.
Some reports say the audience gasped at the realism and even applauded. Mr. Hoevels staggered offstage and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. (Thank goodness the Burgtheater has three full-time firemen/EMTs on duty – 24 hours a day.)
The Thalia Theatre (producers of the show) denied reports that the actor had a life-threatening incident, but Wolfgang Lenz, the treating doctor said, “Just a little deeper and he would have been drowning in his own blood.” Mr. Hoevels was stitched up, released, and was able to perform the same the role the next night.
Rumors flew around the theatre community and in the press that there were “jealous rivalries” at work. The police focused instead on the severe negligence of the props department. At press time, there is still no word on what happened to the props crew.
The police report states that the regular knife was defective in some way and another knife was purchased locally. Instructions were given to a props person to dull the new knife. Evidently, the dulling procedure was forgotten. The police say the price tag was still stuck on the real knife.
All this leads to a couple of observations:
Any knife, sword, rapier, spear and firing gun must be considered extremely dangerous and life threatening onstage. Actors (and crew) must take personal responsibility to make sure the weapon in question is in perfect working order.
The need for strict professional discipline in highly dangerous stage action is demonstrated in the performance of actor Ben Affleck in the film “Shakespeare in Love.” Mr. Affleck was unable to be at the sword fight rehearsal that took place three MONTHS before it was actually shot on the set. When it came time to film the very realistic fight scenes for the camera, he was not allowed to use a sword as part of his action because he had not attended the rehearsal. In the film, he ends up hitting people with his fists and holding a tiny knife – that looks more like a letter opener. Good call by the film’s safety officer and fight supervisor.
Safety Tips from DramaBiz Magazine:
Directors & stage managers: IF YOUR SHOW CONTAINS ANY weapon, fight or physical action where something can go wrong, mandate a warm up lead by a fight captain or fight supervisor. Equity stage managers are very strict about this procedure. A rehearsal of the suicide action in Vienna would have prevented this almost fatal accident.
ACTORS: You certainly need to trust your fellow company members, but CHECK YOUR PROPS.
To read other stories on safety and training, visit the DramaBiz Magazine Web site at www.dramabiz.com
