New Poll - OUCH!

Reading this incredible list of accidents makes one realise just how dangerous stepping out on a stage can be. I would like to branch off in another direction. From our acting nappies we are aware of that old saying "The show must go on"...well at what point does following this become sheer stupidity. Let me explain:

1. At one performance, I was handed a large candle onstage, which dripped wax all over my unprotected arm. I was then immediately caught up in a "freeze" for a minute or so. I gritted my teeth and blocked out the pain of the hot wax. Later my arm came up in a huge mucus-filled boil. Well why didn't I just say "Oooow!! Sorry, ladies and gentlemen...I must just get this wax off my arm, then we'll go on with the play" ?

2. At a performance of "Charley's Aunt" I played a man who puts his hat on the table, it gets filled with tea and he unsuspectingly puts it on. Big laughs. One performance, the director had given note that the teapot did not steam properly. So stage management decided to use real boiling water (to be fair, they were thinking of the entrance looking good, forgetting that this meant I would get boiling water poured on my head). I stood and watched steam pouring out of the pot and realised it was almost boiling. BUT I STILL LET THEM GO AHEAD WITH THE BUSINESS. Luckily for me my thick grease-based make up protected me somewhat. Again though, why on earth didn't I just say "Sorry everyone. We need to stop just for a moment...."?

Just how dangerous do things have to get before an actor stops the show? If a preventible accident looms, is there anything wrong with dropping out of the play and dealing with it? Any thoughts people?