Bolshoi Theatre actor crushed to death on stage by falling scenery in front of screaming opera audience

A PERFORMER at Moscow’s renowned Bolshoi Theatre has been killed by a falling piece of scenery on stage in front of a horrified audience. Yevgeny Kulesh, 37, was crushed to death by a prop during a set change partway through an opera performance on Saturday, the theatre said. GettyA performer was killed during an opera show at the Bolshoi Theatre[/caption] GettyYevgeny Kulesh, 37, was crushed to death during a set change[/caption] “The opera was immediately stopped and the audience was asked to leave,” the theatre said in comments carried by the Interfax news agency. Footage from the incident reportedly shows panicked actors on stage begging staff to quickly lift the fallen decor. The Bolshoi, one of Russia’s most prestigious theatres, said the incident occurred during a set change in Sadko, an opera by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Stunned audience members at first thought the accident was a staged trick before they realised what had happened when someone on stage called out “call the ambulance, there is blood”. Moscow investigators said they were probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Kulesh. The Interfax news cited a source as saying that the performer was crushed by a ramp during a change of scenery. Most read in The Sun FURY VS WILDER 3 Las Vegas awaits massive heavyweight trilogy - latest news and updates PARIS FURY Our girl left school at 11 - Tyson wanted her to stay but it's the traveller way GLAM-MOTHER I'm 33 and the UK's youngest gran... everyone thinks I'm the baby's mum MAN FOR THE JOB Sinclair says Mancini is an 'ideal' Newcastle manager with his experience BARGAIN BUYS Shoppers are raving about George at Asda’s luxe line & prices start at £5 BUMPING ALONG I had the world's tiniest bump at 35 weeks, no one believed I was pregnant Sources told the RIA and TASS news agency he had been killed by a falling piece of decor. According to local media, Mr Kulush had worked at the theatre since 2002. The Bolshoi has been struck by tragedy in the past. In July 2013, a senior violinist died after falling into the orchestra pit. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.