Cate Blanchett Head Injury Stops Streetcar in Its Tracks

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A Sydney performance of A Streetcar Named Desire had to be stopped today after star Cate Blanchett was accidentally struck in the head with a prop. Trouper that she is, the show went on -- or it did, anyway, until the blood streaming down Blanchett's neck prematurely ended the play and sent the Oscar-winner to the hospital.

Details of the incident and Blanchett's condition are vague, but the accident reportedly occurred when co-star Joel Edgerton (playing Stanley Kowalski) mishandled the radio his character was supposed to toss out a window in a drunken rage. Eyewitness reports said the radio hit Blanchett (playing Blanche DuBois) in the side of the head, knocking her to all fours, where she quickly regrouped despite most in the audience knowing that's not quite how Tennessee Williams wrote the scene.

Blanchett continued for as little as 30 seconds or as long as a few minutes, depending on whom you believe, but all agree that the trauma produced profuse bleeding from a cut on her head. She realized the extent of the injury upon having to climb a set of stairs; after Blanchett left the stage, the producers stopped the show, cleared the theater and announced the evening's cancellation outside. Blanchett is currently being treated, but her condition and the seriousness of the injury aren't presently known. Developing... and all best for a speedy recovery.

· Blanchett injured in stage fight [Sydney Morning Herald]



Comments

  • SunnydaZe says:

    I hope she is okay! All best wishes to Blanchett.

  • np says:

    Yikes! Hope it is not serious. Feel better, Cate.

  • Nina says:

    I was there in the 4th row and didn't see any blood but it certainly made a thump when it hit her head. all the audience gasped loudly but the actors just continued on like nothing happened...but, as you write, the producers stopped it like 2-3 mins later. she is ok though, the show goes on tonight...