Title

The late Miss Clara Webster

Caption

The late Miss Clara Webster, 1844. British dancer Clara Vestris Webster died after her dress caught fire as she performed in a 'romantic ballet' at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. '...a very lamentable accident...during the performance of "The Revolt of the Harem," which has proved fatal to Miss Clara Webster, the dancer. In the second act of the ballet, the ladies of the Harem are discovered bathing, among whom Zulica, the royal slave (Miss Webster), is one. During the scene, the gas placed at the bottom of the stage...caught the light drapery of Miss Webster's dress, and in an instant her whole person was enveloped in flames. This frightful event, taking place on the stage, in sight of the audience, the whole house was in a state of consternation, and screams issued from the ladies in front of the boxes and pit, who were the first to perceive the appalling accident'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.

Credit line

Photo12/Heritage Images/The Print Collector

Reference

HRM20B03_051

Model release

NA

Property release

NA

License type

Rights managed

Available size

39,7Mb (1,8Mb) / 9,3in x 16,5in / 2798 x 4960 (300dpi)

Keywords

female women woman people job dance theatre burned burnt occupation fire British dancer lighting accident Victorian century Britain profession ballet ballerina ballet dancer newspapers press concept incident theatre royal B&W full length full-length 19th century black & white black and white B W nineteenth century The Print Collector Drury Lane Drury Lane Theatre gas lighting Illustrated London News ILN newspaper engraving portrait Unknown Clara Webster Clara Webster Clara Vestris Webster Clara Vestris