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Story
March 2, 1876
The Stark County Democrat
Canton, Stark County, Ohio
What is this article about?
In 19th-century Vienna, actor Emile Devrient averts panic during a theater fire by announcing a fictional diamond theft, enabling safe evacuation of the crowd, including Emperor Francis, before the building collapses. No lives lost.
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BRAINS IN TIME OF PERIL.
The Grand Theatre at Vienna was crowded. The Emperor Francis, with several members of his family, was in the imperial box. The play, Schiller's "Robbers," had reached its third act when a cry arose that the stage was on fire. Emile Devrient signalled at once to the proprietor, who lowered the curtain. The actor, stepping in front of it ere it wholly fell, in his clear, clarion voice, said: The Emperor has been despoiled of an aigrette of diamonds. No honest person will object to being searched. You will pass out one by one at each entrance, to be searched by the police stationed at the several doors. Any man attempting to go out of order will be arrested. The crowd, deceived by the coolness and the charge, poured out. As each reached the door he was simply told to hurry on, and just as the last row of the upper gallery were filing out: the flames burst through the curtain. But not a life was lost, though in less than an hour afterward the building was in ruins. -From the Graphic.
The Grand Theatre at Vienna was crowded. The Emperor Francis, with several members of his family, was in the imperial box. The play, Schiller's "Robbers," had reached its third act when a cry arose that the stage was on fire. Emile Devrient signalled at once to the proprietor, who lowered the curtain. The actor, stepping in front of it ere it wholly fell, in his clear, clarion voice, said: The Emperor has been despoiled of an aigrette of diamonds. No honest person will object to being searched. You will pass out one by one at each entrance, to be searched by the police stationed at the several doors. Any man attempting to go out of order will be arrested. The crowd, deceived by the coolness and the charge, poured out. As each reached the door he was simply told to hurry on, and just as the last row of the upper gallery were filing out: the flames burst through the curtain. But not a life was lost, though in less than an hour afterward the building was in ruins. -From the Graphic.
What sub-type of article is it?
Heroic Act
Disaster
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Catastrophe
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Theater Fire
Quick Thinking
Vienna Theater
Emile Devrient
Fire Evacuation
What entities or persons were involved?
Emile Devrient
Emperor Francis
Where did it happen?
Grand Theatre At Vienna
Story Details
Key Persons
Emile Devrient
Emperor Francis
Location
Grand Theatre At Vienna
Story Details
During a performance of Schiller's 'Robbers' at the Grand Theatre in Vienna, with Emperor Francis present, a fire breaks out. Actor Emile Devrient deceives the crowd by announcing a diamond theft and ordering searches at exits, allowing orderly evacuation without panic. The theater burns down after everyone escapes safely.