ANOTHER PANIC IN A VIENNA THEATRE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3108, 19 March 1883, Page 3

ANOTHER PANIC IN A VIENNA THEATRE.

On January 17 the Theatre An der Wien narrowly escaped being the scene of a terrible disaster. Next to the Imperial Opera house, this is the largest theatre in Vienna, and is perhaps best known in connection with Strauss favorite operettas, which have been generally first performed there. The first act of the operetta, “ The Pauper Student,” had hardly been finished when cries of fire were raised, causing a general panic in a full house. It appeared that a gentleman in the stalls hung his hat over n lamp which was guarded with wire, and the hat beginning to scorch, the odour of the burning materials soon created an alarm. The entire house rose, women screamed, and all rushed towards the doors. Fortunately, although the public did not go to the now exit doors which had but recently been provided,there was little barm done. The burning hat was easily extinguished, and the actors, aided by two firemen, addressing the audience from the stage, succeeded in removing their apprehensions, and the performance was resumed and carried to its conclusion without further disturbance.