Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

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Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 12:04am

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/143563-Londons-Passion-Cancels-Performances-Following-Injury-to-Actor-David-Birrell

Not sure exactly what happened -- I'm told that a piece of the gun "kind of exploded and fragments were sprayed about the stage."

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 12:09am

Ohhhhh..... I feel so bad..

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 12:16am

Upon further investigation it seems that during the duel scene, when the gun was fired, pieces of the firearm shattered and one fragment was thrust into actor David Birrell's eye, slicing it and causing heavy bleeding. He shouted in pain and was taken offstage.

I also read that the show CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED. This was during a matinee, so the evening performance was canceled. Monday and Wednesday's performances have been canceled and they are hoping to resume on Thursday (at the Donmar they do not use understudies).

What a horrible incident! I do hope his injury does not permanently affect his vision! Thoughts and prayers to him, his family, and the theater.

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 2:07am

That sounds pretty horrifying. I hope he is all right.

The scariest mishap I ever saw during a show was also in London, during a swordfight in the musical Zorro. One of the swords, which were made of real metal, snapped off at the base, and the blade flew, spinning, halfway across the stage. Fortunately, no one was hit by the blade, but it could have been really bad.

"What was the name of that cheese that I like?" "you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" "well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 9:09am

I HATE theatrical firearms! Three times in my rather limited stage career guns have misfired, or not fired at all. That sort of changes the entire dynamic of the ending of West Side Story, let me tell you...especially when Tony finally falls to die...and THEN the gun goes off. 2000 people laughing at the climax, I will never forget it.

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 9:17am

I'm not familiar with the Donmar. Why don't they use understudies?

Here's hoping to a speedy recovery.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 9:29am

I don't know for certain, but I assume it's a financial thing. Usually is, right?

It's a small venue, with very affordable (and hotly sought-after) tickets, and the runs are always limited. I don't know if that is *the* reason why, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a contributing factor.

Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 10:31am

Why don't they use a dummy gun and a gunshot sound effect? Surely in this tech age, something reasonably realistic can be "faked."?

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 10:38am

I have walked out of a theater before when it was announced they were using 'live fake guns' (that's how they put it) - and I was laughed at and mocked mercilessly. I just don't want to be around them for any reason. And I agree with Wonkit - there has to be a viable alternative.

#10

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 2:50pm

I totally agree. It always makes me jumpy when I know they are using "real fake guns" in a performance. But, on the flip side, there is something about having a weapon that has a kickback, and produces it's own noise that can't be recreated with a sound effect. I worked on a show where using "real" guns wasn't an option. It was always difficult for both the actor and the stage manager to sic up the action of firing the gun with the go for the sound effect.

Very tragic accident, and hopefully Mr. Birrell makes a speedy and full recovery.

Updated On: 10/4/10 at 02:50 PM

#11

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 4:21pm

When that sound comes through the sound system instead of the actual source, it is horribly cheesy. I would rather deal with the risk than to "soccer mom" live theatre. I figure, sometimes, sh*t happens, most of the time it doesn't.

#12

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 7:19pm

From the Donmar website:

"it appears that during the duel scene in Passion, David Birrell’s licensed replica stage gun mis-fired causing some debris to enter his eye"

While obviously there was a very negative consequence, it's not like they were dicking around with real guns and laughing about it. "Licensed replica stage gun" certainly sounds closer to the "prop" end of the scale than the "weapon" end. Plus this is the UK. We're PROPER antsy about guns over here. :P

Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

#13

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 8:30pm

I've known some theatres to place an electronically controlled device that fired a blank in a safe place onstage near where a gun is to be fired. The device made and appropriate "POW" and sounded as if it came from the gun. Has to be timed perfectly though. The device was contained in a way that made it nearly impossible for anyone to be injured.

Hope this actor is back on his feet soon. Everyone involved must feel horrible about the accident. Accidents do happen even when all the necessary precautions have been taken.

I hate guns onstage. I hate guns in general.

#14

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/4/10 at 11:31pm

"That sort of changes the entire dynamic of the ending of West Side Story, let me tell you...especially when Tony finally falls to die...and THEN the gun goes off."

One night during the 1980 Broadway revival of West Side Story, the gun accidentally misfired and two of the extras pretended to fall dead. Then one had to get back up. True story!

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#15

Faulty gun fired during show seriously injurs David Birrell's eye at London's PASSION

Posted: 10/5/10 at 2:15am

I'm in Chicago right now and we use the orchestra as the gun fire. yeah its not real but the audience understands. I have always found when real guns that make their own noise go off alot of time it makes the audience jump and then they laugh which isn't the reaction you are looking for usually...

Genius lasts longer than beauty.

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