STAGE TRAGEDY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 9, 7 January 1913, Page 2

STAGE TRAGEDY.

Nearly every actor or actress can toll of some distressing situation, through some portion of the stage properties collapsing or failing to act, but Miss Ruby Guy, who was taking part in a dramatic sketch entitled “Supper for Two,” at a charity entertainment in St. James’s Hall, Phillip Street, Sydney, one Saturday evening, had an experience which was not only distressing but abruptly concluded the sketch, says the ‘Morning Herald.’ Miss Guy was playing “Nita” (Mrs. Roxburgh), with Mr. Taylor (Mr. Edw. Roxburgh), and Mr. Shields (Hon. Richard White). Being discovered keeping a clandestine appointment with the Hon. Richard White, “Nita” is turned out by her husband, who insists that either he or the Hon. Richard White must die. Lots were drawn, and the Hon. Richard White, being the unlucky one, carried out the compact and shot himself. “Nita” returns, and finding her lover dead, resolves to die also. Miss Guy, who had ably acted her part on Saturday evening, placed the revolver to her head, and with fine dramatic effect uttered, “I shall die with him.” The audience waited for the report, but none came. Miss Guy repeated, “I shall die with him,” and again raised the weapon. Thrilled, the audience expectedly awaited the fatal shot, but seconds passed during which the young actress could be seen struggling with the revolver, and it began to dawn on the audience that the weapon was on strike. Miss Guy made another desperate effort to die, but the revolver again refused duty. The situation was a complex one, and the audience could hardly contain itself. It burst into roars of laughter a second later as the horrified accents of the stage manager were heard saying, “I knew it; I was afraid of this; that revolver wouldn’t go off one day at rehearsal.” Miss Guy accepted the position philosophically, and heartily joined in the laugh. The curtains were then drawn across the stage and allowed her to make her exit. A minute later the audience had another hearty laugh, for when the curtain was drawn to admit of several bouquets being handed to Miss Guy, Mr. Shields (who was supposed to lie dead) was discovered wrestling with the revolver, and in the struggle the weapon went off, the spurt of flame startling those near the stage.