EQUESTRIAN ACTRESS

   A woman who could both act and perform stunts on horseback was needed for plays like Mazeppa. The audience appeal was not the horse, for the streets outside the theatre were full of horses, but the woman who was willing to put herself in danger on an easily spooked horse in a restricted space. Moreover, whether she played a breeches role or not, there was likely to be a glimpse or display of normally covered lower limbs. Equestrian acting was certainly dangerous, and tales are legion of horses that attempted to leap the orchestra pit or that fell off of scenic units.

   See also Accidents; Animals; Equestrian drama.