DKL
05-20-2012, 12:00 AM
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Misrecognition
The Thursday afternoon of January 12, 1905 witnessed the inquest of theatre-goer Alfred Williams who perished during a festive performance at the Rotunda Theatre. The previous week Mr. Williams had gone along to the Rotunda, situated at the junction of Scotland Road and Stanley Street, with his mother-in-law. The pantomime season was drawing to a close but a production of ‘Aladdin’ was still drawing in the crowds. During the performance Alfred suddenly leaned forward and pointed, exclaiming “That is my wife!” and upon uttering the final syllable he fell to the floor in a state of inertia. Theatre attendants raised the lights and the man was carried out for urgent medical checks. He was however, already dead.
Discussions at the inquest revealed how thirty-three-year-old Williams had lived apart from his wife for some time, and upon seeing who he thought to be his spouse on stage he became wildly animated. It was agreed that Williams’ death was due to syncope brought about by excitement.
Mrs Williams, the deceased’s widow was also in attended for the proceedings. She told the coroner that no doubt, a major mistake had been made on the part of her husband as she had never once set foot on a stage. It had been a tragic case of misrecognition.
More... (http://danielklongman.tumblr.com/post/23361970486)
Misrecognition
The Thursday afternoon of January 12, 1905 witnessed the inquest of theatre-goer Alfred Williams who perished during a festive performance at the Rotunda Theatre. The previous week Mr. Williams had gone along to the Rotunda, situated at the junction of Scotland Road and Stanley Street, with his mother-in-law. The pantomime season was drawing to a close but a production of ‘Aladdin’ was still drawing in the crowds. During the performance Alfred suddenly leaned forward and pointed, exclaiming “That is my wife!” and upon uttering the final syllable he fell to the floor in a state of inertia. Theatre attendants raised the lights and the man was carried out for urgent medical checks. He was however, already dead.
Discussions at the inquest revealed how thirty-three-year-old Williams had lived apart from his wife for some time, and upon seeing who he thought to be his spouse on stage he became wildly animated. It was agreed that Williams’ death was due to syncope brought about by excitement.
Mrs Williams, the deceased’s widow was also in attended for the proceedings. She told the coroner that no doubt, a major mistake had been made on the part of her husband as she had never once set foot on a stage. It had been a tragic case of misrecognition.
More... (http://danielklongman.tumblr.com/post/23361970486)