Industry news
Theatre-goer 'hurt by Othello sword'
Posted Tue, 27 Oct 2009
A woman was reportedly injured when a "weapon" flew off stage during a fight scene in a West End production of Othello with Lenny Henry.
As the scene was being acted out at the Trafalgar Studios, a swordstick held by actor Richard Standing, who plays Cassio, flew out of his hand and into the audience, producers said.
Henry, whose role is Othello in the Shakespeare play, came forward to check that everyone was fine. The show then went on.
An onlooker was quoted by The Evening Standard saying a female audience member cut her arm but "made no fuss".
No one admitted they were injured although checks were made to ensure everyone was fine, the show's producers said.
The statement said: "Lenny Henry, who plays the title role, saw what happened and came forward to check that all was OK. As there were no concerns from the audience the play continued.
"At the end of the show Mr Henry and Mr Standing checked again to ensure that all was well."
It added: "All fight scenes in this production were originally staged by a qualified fight director and are rehearsed before every performance."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
West End's Othello