Actor lies in coma after lynching on stage

An Italian actor is in a coma after a scene in which his character was lynched went terribly wrong in front of a live audience.

According to a report in The Times, 27-year-old Raphael Schumacher was accidentally strangled by the rope around his neck and lost consciousness while performing in the play “Mirages” at the Teatro Lux in Pisa. He is said to be “seriously ill”.

Police have sealed off the theater and launched an investigation to find out how the stunt went wrong. Schumacher should have been standing on a box and wearing a body harness to ensure he was not at risk of strangulation, but it appears something went seriously wrong.

One actor reportedly said: “The sling should have been fake and a harness should have caught him when he fell. “I cannot understand how such an incident could have happened.”

“Mirages” is a six-scene play set in various locations throughout the Teatro Lux, with the audience following the actors around the venue. The stunt had been carried out that day without incident.

A bystander is said to have raised the alarm when he noticed Mr Schumacher’s body shaking.

– Pope makes acting debut
– Zoolander stars arrive in Rome

Photo credit: Facebook