Theatrical Atonement.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 82

Theatrical Atonement.

Giovanni Grasso, a Sicilian actor of unusual dramatic energy, is the hero of a peculiar story. He was playing one of his fiercest parts, where he had to stab his enemy with a dagger. Suddenly, in the heat of his passion, Grasso let the weapon slip out of his hand. It alighted in the pit on a man's head, cutting it slightly. An indignant member of the audience flung the knife back to the stage, where it was dexterouslv caught by Grasso. liaising it aloft in his hand, and as it were accursed, Grasso smashed it in two, and: then stamped upon it. Then, with a. swift bound, Grasso was in the pit beside the injured man. The next minute he had climbed back to the boards, with the victim in his arms. After setting him in a chair, Grasso threw himself on his knees and began a long entreaty for forgiveness. This was rapidly granted by the much-embarrassed playgoer, who on his side begged to be allowed to return to his seat. But this was not to be until Grasso, weeping copiously, had bestowed no fewer than 50 resounding kisses on the man's blushing checks. The action was greeted with loud cheers, and after Grasso had gracefully bowed his thanks, the play was resumed and successfully concluded.