EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE IN A THEATRE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2009, 2 August 1880, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE IN A THEATRE.

The Queen's Theatre, Manchester, was crowded by an enthusiastic audience to witness the performance of Shakspeoro's historical play of "Henry V." by Mr George Rigcold and his company. Everything went well until the last act, when an accident occurred which for a moment startled the spectators and excited expressions of alarm and sympathy of the most emphatic character. Henry V. had won his battles with the French in spite of overwhelming odds, and on his return to London had received tho plaudits and congratulations of his subjects. The stage was filed with joyous citizens, and when tho Xing presented himself seated upon his proud and noble white charger, the vast audience joined heartily in the shouts of satisfaction, and the scene was one of tremendous enthusiasm and success. Whilst the cheering was at its height the curtain descended, but so gratified were the spectators with the magnificenoe of the spectacle, and so thoroughly did they enter into the joy and satisfaction of the moment, that they vociferously insisted upon once more beholding the victorious monarch and his gallant steed, which seemed to share the pardonable pride of its rider, and which certainly excited the admiration of the audience, as, in pride, it tossed its head aloft, and advanoing nearly to the footlights, seemed to acknowledge the plaudits of the multitude before it. When, in answer to tho call, the curtain again ascended, the horse and the King were seen emerging from an arch, and, as they advanced, the cheering of the audience was most vociferous. Suddenly the animal stumbled, and there was a cry and an uneasy movement amongst the audience. There was the fear that either Mr Rignold or the horse would be hurt, and the excitement of the moment was not relieved when it was found that the animal was unable to recDver itself. The fear became more intense as it was perceived that a trap in the oentre of the stage had 'given way, and that the horse's off hind leg was in the hole. Daring all this Mr Rignold behaved with consummate coolness. The audience were becoming alarmed, but he calmed them. Kneeling behind the arimal he looked down the hole, which tho now wholly open trap bad formed, and after asking a question of those below, called for a rope. Before anything could be done, however, the horse made another effort to recover itself, and as a consequence it began gradually to slip into the trap, and finally it overbalanced and disappeared altogether. Then the drop-scene was lowered, and the audience remained for a few moments in a state of suspense. Presently Mr Rignold appeared, and announced that neither he nor the horse was injured, and then the audience gave a rioging cheer of satisfaction, and shortly afterwards the performance was proceeded with and brought to a successful termination.—" Manchester Courier."