REALITY ON THE STAGE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 4

REALITY ON THE STAGE.

THE OSCAR ASCHE-KAY SOTJPER DUEL. The new that Mr. Oscar Asclie had ■wounded Mr, G. Kay Souper in a stago duel during tho performance of "Count Jiamubal" in Sydney recently was cabled across. The Sydney papers deal wicli the accident at length. 'It is not tile first time," said Mr. oouper in the course of an interview on the morning following the duel, and although, of course, the whole thing was an accident, you will seo that when ono goes in for realism of tho advanced type as does Mr. Asclie, and the whole of our company, one almost carries one's life in one's hands. 'J ho accident occurred yesterdayafternoon, during tho due], at tho matinee performance. I suppose wo were 11 P «'ith tho excitement of the thing that we did not quite know what wo were doing. Anyhow, suddenly, the point of Mr. Ascho's rapier caught mo at the side of tho eye, and I felt it hurt a bit. I took no notice, however, but finished the due!. Afterwards it was found that the blade had entered just under the eyebrow, and had gone right through and out above the eyebrow. My eye was ono ciot of in'' *'-' S . morn '"E; it pains a bit." .the victim of the occurrence was not inclined to say much more, but another member of the company took on tho storv.

"When wc were putting on the same play, 'Count Hannibal,' at Newcastle, in England," he said, '.'Mr. Asche and Mr. Souper were doing the duel, when Mr. Asehe's foot slipped, and the poniard, which he carries in his left hand, caught his opponent on the left side of the. forehead, and slipped right across to the other side, causing a long flesh wound, from which the blood flowod down all over his face. Tlio audience thought it was the old trick of piercing ,1 bag of paint very well done, and they cheered like mad, but poor old Souper didn't feel like cheering, and when that performance was over lie was out of the cast for some time.

"Tliero was another little incident yesterday, which might have been worse. Mr. Sonper's poniard caught Mr. Ascho in the throat, and, glancing off, pierced right through the nock of his shirt, making a good-sized rent. Oh, yes; it's realistic enough." Surprise has often been expressed that there aro no buttons on the tips of tho swords, this being tho usual protection in most stage duels. But anyone w!\o knows Sir. Asche will know also that this would not suit him. The little affair of honour would not bs realistic enough for'hiin. Ho is a strenuous actor, mid it is said of him that when ho is playing "Othello" ho goes about like a roaring, raging bull, and it is not well to argue the point with iiim when ho is showing in that part.