R
Red 2
Guest
Actor 'Shot' In Eye During Onstage Duel
7:20am Tuesday October 05, 2010
Elizabeth Scott
Performances of a West End play have been cancelled after an actor was shot in the eye during an onstage duel.
Actor David Birrell as Colonel Ricci in Stephen Sondheim's play Passion
David Birrell sustained a serious eye injury during Saturday's matinee performance of Stephen Sondheim's Passion. A defective firearm is thought to be at fault. The 35-year-old was taken to hospital after the incident at London's Donmar Warehouse. Birrell was injured during a scene where his character, Colonel Ricci, challenges Giorgio (played by David Thaxton) to a duel. The theatre has cancelled all shows from Monday to Wednesday but is hoping to resume the production on Thursday.
Theatre bosses are investigating how the incident occurred. A Donmar spokesperson said: "Following initial inquiries into the accident at the theatre on Saturday, 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. "We are, as a matter of priority, carrying out further investigations into the incident.
"David is recovering well in hospital and is in good spirits. "Our priorities are to David's well-being and recovery; and to theatregoers who have purchased tickets for performances in the coming days. "We will, of course, refund patrons who are unable to see the production." Birrell has previously appeared at the Donmar Warehouse in Grand Hotel and was a member of the original cast of West End hit Spamalot. He has also had guest roles in TV dramas Midsomer Murders and Heartbeat.
