St Kentigern College has announced that it has cancelled any future performances of Sweeney Todd after two 16-year-olds had their throats cut on the opening night of the school's production.
In a statement released by the school today, Head of College Steve Cole said the production, which had been scheduled for tonight and tomorrow night, would not be going ahead.
"We are disappointed at having to do this but have decided that the musical should not proceed while investigation into what happened continues," the statement read.
Last night's performance was also called off.
Meanwhile it has emerged that a prop supplier had told staff from the college's production team not to use real razor blades "weeks before" their performance.
The anonymous supplier told Stuff they had refused to let the college rent out the blades for their performance of Sweeney Todd because they "don't let school productions have those".
Two students were taken to Auckland Hospital after the incident on Wednesday night. One was in a serious condition, while the other received moderate injuries. They were discharged yesterday.
Other professional prop suppliers say it is not industry practice to use real blades in productions. Cardboard, wooden or rubber version are usually preferred.
Jo Pilkington, general manager at supplier First Scene, says the very nature of a prop is that it is not real -- which is why her company does not even stock real weapons such as the razor blade used.
That's backed up by Cutting Edge drama director Sioux Smith, who says she is appalled by the incident.
"What on earth were they doing using a real razor blade or a real knife?" Ms Smith says.
"I mean, no more than you'd use a real gun! Even when we're talking big Hollywood productions, they would be using props -- they would not be using the real articles."
Stuart Maunder, who is directing the New Zealand Opera production of Sweeney Todd that will open in September, says the razor blades they will use will not be able to cause harm.
"The props will be the same ones used in the Melbourne season of the production -- the blades are actually aluminium, and can't cut anything," he said.
Yesterday St Kentigern's Head of College Steve Cole said the blade had been checked "innumerable times" before the first performance, insisting that health and safety checks had been carried out.
There are questions over why the blade was able to cut the necks of the students given that Mr Cole said it had been "filed down" and wrapped in "duct tape, foam and silver paper".
Mr Cole said the drama teachers, who sanctioned the use of the blade and have been "struggling" since the incident, will not be punished.
He said both boys are recovering well. The boy who cut his fellow students' necks is "doing okay" in the wake of the performance, and was being "looked after" by the school's counsellor.
Sweeney Todd is a musical about a barber in Victorian-era London, who murders his customers with razors and makes their remains into pies.
Mr Cole says the show was chosen based on the talents of the current crop of students, who he said wanted to "push their abilities" further.
Newshub.
