Actors took realism a drop too far (From Bury Times)

Actors took realism a drop too far

11:16am Monday 8th February 2010

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ACTORS strive for realism and the very best have a gift that transports the audience to the emotive heart of the action.

That’s why it probably seemed a good idea when four German thespians decided to substitute vodka for water as they acted out an extended drinking session in an adaptation of a Russian story by Venedikt Erofeev.

According to the account I read last week, the audience was amused at first, but then “alarm grew as they started falling off chairs and tables and inviting theatregoers to join in and take a swig”.

One of the actors found he could not stand up any more and another fell off the stage on his chair.

An ambulance was called after the backstage crew intervened and one of the players is alleged to have become violent, forcing the medics to call for police backup. His evening ended with a stomach pumping session rather than a standing ovation.

A cautionary tale and one that will no doubt amuse all those local amateurs who have sipped cold tea masquerading as whisky.

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