Talked the Roof Off.
Natural aptitude to grasp a situation has been turned to account more than once on the stage, and, in one case, if the veracity of a favourite comedian goes for anything, it saved a panic and possible loss of life.
" We were playing one-night stands," said he, "in Kansas during the terrible period of c\ clones, and found ourse ; \es in a large, dilapidated building, called by courtesy a theatre
" The low comedian was on the stage in the part of a drunken husband receiving a vigorous lecture from his wife. 'Madam,' he had just observed, ' if you keep on you'll talk the roof off,' when there was a roar heard, followed by a tremendous crash, the building swaying like a tree in a storm. Everybody jumped to their feet, for they saw the roof had been carried away. They were about to turn and make .one dash for the exits, when the comedian, coming down to the footlights, looked up into the air, and, quick as n flash, turned to the lady and said, - There, whatdid [ tell you ? ' Theaudience howled with laughter, and the quick-witted comedian wag- undoubtedly the means of jireveuting a serious calamity."
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 49
Word Count
200Talked the Roof Off. Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 49
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