STAGE REALISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10037, 6 May 1910, Page 5

STAGE REALISM.

DUEL ENDS IN BLOOD-

SHED.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Ccpyright. Received May f>, 10.25 a.m.

SYDNEY, May During a £duel*between Mr Oscar Asche, as Count Hannibal, and Mr Gerald Souper, as TienonviJle, in tha play "Count Hannibal," now being played at the Criterion Theatre, the point of Mr Asche's sword struck Mr Souper in the side of the left eye, emerging above (he eyebrow, while Mr Souper's sword hed Mr Asche's neck.

Mr Souper lost a good of blood, but the injury was not serious.

A Sydney paper by the last mail has the following :—The rapier and dagger duel in "Count Hannibal' at the Criterion appears to be an exceedingly dangerous combat, so close do weapons get ac rimes. A" a matter of fact, Mr Asche and Mr Souper hav« had a number of sensational experiences during this exciting scene. At Newcastle, England, for example, Mr Souper received a severe wound on the forehead, the dagger wielded by Mr Asche pir-rcrg the flesh to the bone. The audience tLougnt the. fight most reaiistic when they saw the blood on Mr Souper's forehead and face, and applauded vigorously; but the injury was so severe that those who were aware of the true 3tate of affairs could forbear smiling at Count Hannibal's words over his prostrate adversary: "Come, man, it is only a scratch." The "scratch" necessitated medical attention for Mr Souper for some days, and ha was out ot the cast fcr a week.