When was it published?

December 5, 1751 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News December 5, 1751

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Theater Disturbance, Public Panic

Q: What keywords are associated?

Drury Lane Theatre, Gentlemen Quarrel, Swords Drawn, Fire Rumour, Audience Confusion, Injuries, Gallery Incident

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 3

What is this article about?

At Drury-Lane Theatre on Saturday night, a quarrel between two gentlemen drawing swords sparked a false fire rumor, causing widespread panic, injuries, and near-tragedy as audience members fled.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Saturday Night, during the second Scene of the Entertainment after the Play, at Drury-Lane Theatre, the Audience was terribly alarmed by Noise from behind the Boxes, occasioned by two Gentlemen quarrelling and drawing Swords, which produced a Rumour of Fire, and was instantly spread throughout the House: The Confusion was general, and many People hurt in attempting to force their Way out; a Woman in the front Row of the first Gallery had got one Leg over, and was with Difficulty prevented, by a Man that sat next her, from throwing herself into the Pit.

What sub-type of article is it?

Theater Disturbance Public Panic

What keywords are associated?

Drury Lane Theatre Gentlemen Quarrel Swords Drawn Fire Rumour Audience Confusion Injuries Gallery Incident

Where did it happen?

Drury Lane Theatre

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Drury Lane Theatre

Event Date

Saturday Night

Outcome

many people hurt

Event Details

During the second Scene of the Entertainment after the Play, the Audience was terribly alarmed by Noise from behind the Boxes, occasioned by two Gentlemen quarrelling and drawing Swords, which produced a Rumour of Fire, and was instantly spread throughout the House: The Confusion was general, and a Woman in the front Row of the first Gallery had got one Leg over, and was with Difficulty prevented, by a Man that sat next her, from throwing herself into the Pit.