In a play performed at a tourist spot in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, China, a spectator who suddenly burst in assaulted an actor who was playing a soldier of the former Japanese army. Chinese media outlet Lychee News reported on the 13th.

In the play, a "cruelty scene" was being performed where soldiers of the former Japanese army tied up and assaulted a captured woman, when suddenly, an elderly male spectator rushed onto the stage and attacked the actor playing the former Japanese soldier, kicking and punching him. The man was then pulled away by staff and returned to his seat.

A representative from the tourist spot stated that "such an incident is a first," and explained that although the assaulted actor underwent an examination at the hospital, he did not sustain serious injuries. They added, "If similar incidents occur in the future, we will consider installing fences."

Lychee News reported that "the elderly man seems to have gotten too engrossed in the play," but netizens commented, "Rather than getting too engrossed, he probably just wanted to hit someone without legal repercussions," "He knew it was acting and deliberately broke in," "Definitely on purpose. It's not half a century ago," "Someone who is only brave in a safe place," "He doesn't seem too engrossed. This old man is clear-headed. If trouble actually breaks out in the city, I'd like him to put himself on the line with that same spirit," and "If it were a real battlefield, this old man would be the first to surrender."

Also, there were not a few comments such as, "What a disaster for the actor," "I wonder if workers' compensation will apply to the actor," "I don't like plays with this kind of content," "This isn't the kind of play that should be performed in the first place," "There's a problem with the content of the play itself," and "This kind of production itself shouldn't be done. There are various ways to educate about patriotism, but I cannot agree with this method." (Translation/Editing: Kitada)

日本兵役の「残虐行為」に怒り？観客が乱入して役者に殴り掛かる―中国 pic.twitter.com/ZeJhbGWZIK

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