Reality sells

"That's what you get for trying to kill Caesar," stated Tyson Young.

The show must go on and it had for a bit Wednesday August 29 2007 in Aspen CO. Julius Caesar lay dead and Brutus was talking to his co-conspirators during an outdoor performance of "Scenes From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar" when acting became reality.

Kent Hudson Reed, Aspen actor/director had tried to carry on with the scene but he stated his boot was filling up with blood and he began to miss his lines. At that point he began to worry that the audience might be able to see the blood and worse, that he may pass out. He took that moment to pause and graciously say, "I seem to have stabbed myself."

Play narrator Tyson Young announced that the performance was canceled and Portia, played by Susan Mauntel took Brutus to the hospital for stitches. Reed explained that the actors normally don't use real knives but that scene had been set up so that none of the performers were close enough to hurt each other.

"I hadn't thought an actor might stab himself," added Reed.

In true acting tradition, Reed has said that the show would go on but that Brutus may be linping for a bit now. I would hope that Reed is in line for an award for bringing a touch of realism to a summer outdoor performance.