Two New Zealand school students have had their necks cut on stage during a performance of Sweeney Todd at St Kentigern College in Auckland.
College head Steve Cole told the New Zealand Herald that a razor blade was used as a prop in the production and caused the injuries.
Mr Cole said the blade had been blunted and wrapped in duct tape and other protective materials.
"It's normal for Sweeney Todd to have such an instrument," he said. "This clearly had been checked many, many times.
"It has been bound and cellophaned and all sorts of things. It had been blunted and had been through all sorts of health and safety checks.
"It was a very unfortunate mistake".
A New Zealand police spokesperson told SBS that police had been in contact with the school.
"We are seeking further information to establish what if any the next steps will be," the spokesperson said.
Sweeney Todd tells the story of a barber who slits the throats of his customers. It was on the opening night of the St Kentigern College production that the incident occurred.
Mr Cole said the scene has been rehearsed "many, many times" since January and offered no explanation as to how the boys’ throats were cut.
Both students, aged 16, were taken to hospital but Mr Cole said they had since been discharged and were "doing well".
He said the play had been postponed for the night but would likely be back up and running "without those particular props" by the weekend.
He said students and staff had been offered counselling.
St Kentigern College has been contacted for comment.
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