It was the last scene of the play “Richard III” when the main character fights alone with his demons. A sword slipped out of the hand of the main actor Lars Eidinger and hit a woman in the front row.
The actor Lars Eidinger appeared on Thursday evening during the performance of the play “Richard III.” At the Berlin Schaubühne, a spectator from the front row was slightly injured with a sword. The performance was then canceled, but an ambulance did not have to be called. The Schaubühne confirmed this to rbb on Friday afternoon. The “Berliner Morgenpost” first reported.
According to a Schaubühne spokeswoman, the accident happened in the last scene of the performance. In it, Richard fights alone against his demons with a sword. In this scene, Lars Eidinger’s sword slipped out of his hand. The handle would have hit the spectator in the head. Eidinger then immediately interrupted the performance. The injured visitor was immediately treated by the theater doctor present.
The spokeswoman said we deeply regret the unfortunate incident and are still in shock.
Eidinger was on the phone with a visitor
Eidinger had already spoken to the injured visitor on the phone on Friday morning to inquire about her health. The Schaubühne management is also in contact with her.
Processes such as fencing scenes would be developed together with a stunt coordinator and trained regularly. This is also the case with the scene from “Richard III.” happen. After the incident, the processes will be checked again, it was said.
The upcoming performances of “Richard III.” According to Schaubühne, can take place as planned. We sincerely wish the visitor a speedy recovery.
Broadcast: rbb 88.8, February 20, 2026, 6:50 a.m
