Tragic Occurrence in a Theatre.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 4, Issue 21, 17 March 1893, Page 3

Tragic Occurrence in a Theatre.

A St. Petersburg correspondent writes:—“A tragic event took place ,at the Alexander Theatre. . Ore of Ostrovsky’s pieces was being given—- ‘ Lucrative Posts’—in which the actor. Mr Ibvobodin, played the principal part. The subject of this comedy is as follows:—An unfortunate functionary, who has all the trouble in the world to provide for the wants of his family, and whose daughter’s marriage was put off for want of money, was in the habit of complaining a great deal of his hard fate. Some mischerious persons imagined to play a trick'on the poor man, and let a packet fall on bis passage in the street, upon which was written 60,000 roubles. The functionary picked it up, and, besides himself with joy at the thought of the legitimate reward be had a right to claim (the third part of the sum found), ran quickly home. Upon opening the packet and finding it contained nothing but bits of newspaper,, the unfortunate man loses his reason from the disappointment. Mr Svobodin, who is a great favorite with the public and one of the stars of the St. Petersburg Theatre, played his Scene to perfection, and, staggering from the room, fell heavily down across the The public, believing this to be an ingenious improvement upon the former interpretation of the same scene, applauded frantically. As Mr Svobodin did not appear, and the curtain went down, the public became vociferous, i During the interact it was announced that Mr Svododin, having been taken ill, another person would play; his part. The next act commenced ; but it soon got known that Svobodin had died, and that the public had actually witnessed bis death upon the stage when he fell down. The other actors played anyhow, turning their backs on the public to hide their tears. One after another broke down, and, the news having at last circulated, the audience dispersed, hardly anyone remaining for the closing piece.”