Drunken Pianist Falls Asleep During Theatre Show

Dec 5 2007 By Gordon Currie

A DRUNKEN pianist who fell asleep during a theatre production of The Steamie ended up behind bars.

The play descended into farce when Christine Aston was found asleep.

After being woken up, she drove the five miles to her home but was arrested when police later called round and gave her a breath test.

Aston, who already has one conviction for drink-driving, spent last weekend in cells and is facing a ban when she returns to court today.

She was playing on Saturday for Perth Drama Club’s production of the play about Glasgow in the 1950s.

But proceedings at the Upper Springland Theatre ground to a halt when Aston, 44, missed her cue.

An audience member said: “The music had been a bit iffy to say the least.

“Eventually, the music died altogether and there was an awkward silence.

“Somebody went over to see what was wrong. She was face down on the piano and fast asleep. She was woken up and taken outside for some fresh air.

“She was supposed to have a cup of coffee and sober up while the cast explained what had happened.

“But it seems that she decided to just get in her car and drive home. Someone must have called the police.

“I just felt sorry for the rest of the drama club because they were embarrassed by the whole thing.”

When Aston was breathalysed at her home in nearby St Madoes, she was found to be more than double the drink-drive limit.

She spent the rest of the weekend in police cells.

On Monday, she appeared at Perth Sheriff Court, where she admitted drink-driving and was given an interim ban pending sentencing today.

Source

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