Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 23:31:43 EDT
Subject: Re: PUPT: Funny flashpot story



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And then there was the time we were doing the show about fire safety and the 
history of the Phoenix fire department.  Back in the old days they would 
signal fire with 3 quick shots on a revolver to round up the volunteers.  So 
we had a starter pistol backstage.  Unfortunately, it was a cheap starter 
pistol and would not always fire.  So the frustrated puppeteer trying to fire 
it uttered a word into his wireless mic that begins with f and ends with k.  
Twice.  Then realizing what he said, admonished himself with another word 
that begins with Sh and ends with t.  We weren't sure if anyone in the packed 
school cafeteria noticed.  But it didn't matter.  Because when we came to the 
climactic scene - the burning rooming house - our smoke machine set off the 
smoke detectors and the entire school was evacuated.  They gave us our check 
anyway.  

We don't do that show anymore.  

Nancy Smith

In a message dated 10/21/2002 6:59:48 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com writes:

> on 10/18/02 11:55 AM, Mary Robinette Kowal at mary-AT-otherhandproductions.com
> wrote:
> 
> >I housemanaged a marionette production of "Jungle Book" for the Center
> >for Puppetry Arts.  During a rehearsal (thank heavens) Mowgli came on
> >stage with his "red flower" to scare off Sher Khan.  There were three
> >flashpots on the stage were he was supposed to light the grass on fire.
> >Two small things happened on that day.  The tech put a little too much
> >powder in the pots, and Mowgli's puppeteer got the puppet a little
> >closer to the pots than usual.
> >
> >Picture this.  
> >
> >Mowgli says, "I've got the red flower! Take that Shere Khan."  He
> >dramatically thrusts his torch to the ground, flame leaps into the air
> >and smoke fills the stage.  When the smoke clears a small crumpled heap
> >lies lifeless on the ground- Mowgli with all of his strings burned off.
> 
> Ohhh, the flash backs, if you'll pardon the pun. I recall many stories like
> yours (like the safety lid being blown of the flash pot, things going off 
> at
> the wrong time, etc.) with a few injuries along the way, fortunately most
> minor and very few of them to me. As the registered Pyro Tech on Ringling
> for several years I have had a few close calls and stories to tell.
> 
> Christopher
> 
> 


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