AN ACTRESS INJURED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19709, 8 August 1927, Page 8

AN ACTRESS INJURED.

ACCIDENT IN THEATRE.

DISCHARGE OF .CARTRIDGES

AN UNFORTUNATE MISHAP.

PAINFUL INJURIES TO EYE.

There was a sensational ending to the performance of Sir. Robert Roberts Revue Company at tho Strand Theatre on Saturday evening. Three blank cartridges from a revolver were accidentally fired point-blank in the fqce of Miss Arline Paterson, tho leading lady of tho company, inflicting painful injuries. She had a miraculous escape from losing the use of her left eyo.

Tho accident occurred during tho final act on tho programme, in which the various members of tho company impersonate well-known screen actors and actresses. From a landing there aro a few steps leading down to the stago, and Miss Paterson was about to walk down these steps preparatory to taking her place on the stago in the guise of Mary Pickford. Mr. George Edwards, another member of the company, was entering tho stago from tho other side, and before his entrance a stage band had to fire three blank shots into the air.

Three Shots Fired. Ho was looking toward Mr. Edwards to get the signal to fire, with tho revolver raised behind him and pointing straight at the door through which Miss Paterson had to enter. The signal was given and tho three shots were fired just as Miss Paterson opened the door and commenced to descend the steps. There was a blinding flash and red-hot gunpowder struck her just under the left eye. She managed to raise her arm in time to shield her face from tho two shots that followed, and a painful burn was inflicted on her left elbow. Miss Paterson was taken to a dressing room, still insisting that she had to go on the stage, that she had her act to do. Meanwhile, on the stage, the members of the company had difficulty in proceeding with the finale of the performance. Three times Miss Paterson was announced to make her entry as Miss Mary Pickford, and when she did not come the performance was finished as hurriedly as possible. The audience realised that some accident had taken' place and dispersed slowly. First Visit to Auckland.

Miss Paterson's eye was bathed in the dressing room to remove some of the grease-pamfc which had been blown into it by the explosion, and then she had to be carried to her hotel next door. She was attended by Dr. Tewsley and it was found that she had severe burns under the leftv eyelid and right along the rim of the under lid. A considerable quantity of discharged powder had lodged in her eye, and this had to be removed.

Tho injury became less painful yesterday, although Miss Paterson's eye was badly swollen. Another quarter of an inch and the shot would have penetrated the eye and its ,sight could' not have been saved. As it is, Miss Paterson hopes to be back on the stage within a few days. Miss Paterson is an Australian, a resident, of Sydney. This is her" first visit to Auckland. She arrived here on Friday morning from Wellington.