Anyhow at the final song of the show. Impossible Dream reprise Cervante [Quixote] climbs the stair case to front the Inquisition. All rather dramatic with the prisoners sing & building, as he climbs & disappears above the borders. Then the staircase slowly fly's out to the end of the music & lights fading to black out. which always milked a standing ovation, after less than half a dozen heart beats, the lights go back up, to the lighting state preset prior to the start of the show & the cast have disappeared. Leaving an empty dungeon set, then a cast member pops out of their hiding place, takes a bow & indicates the next cast member in turn. When the whole cast of 20 or so are assembled, they take a company bow. At this point they gesture for Cervantes to appear, however at the dress rehearsal he was not there. Then he did turn up from the back of the auditorium, take his place on stage. Latter I found out as climbed the stairs, he was busting to go to the Dunny & went out the back to relieve himself. The exit door closed on him & he had to run around the theatre to get in & enter thru the FOH.

So I left it in the show & for the bows he appear from the front of house.

On Opening night straight after the show I nicked out the front of the theatre, for a quick smoke. I was in my 'dress Blacks', wearing a 'Dicky bow tie, which is my little bit of tradition. I was quite amused the number of punters who walked around the building, looking up at the roof, attempting to work out how the entrances & exits from the staircase was achieved. One of the leading local critics {At least she believed she was] collared me & asked the question "How did we do it?" To this I said we actually lift the roof, using hydraulics, so they can gain aces!".  She wrote in her theatre screed column "it was achievement of a massive an theatrical engineering effect". Blimey she believed me? - So I did not enlighten her any further!

Sorry to prattle on, but things do happen that can  be utilised as creative accidents.

{Doesn't help your topic any, but it s one of my wee claims to fame? Even if  'it' is only within my own lunch box!] 

{All completly in character}

No they did not stay in the character of the role. I believe this is when the actor steps out of character.

Many years ago, way back when. We had a Director who would not give a Finale curtain Call to an actor, if the character was done away with or he/she fell off the perch, during the show. Which to my mind this missed completely,  the point of the call & bouncing the House Rag.

 

For me the exception would be a tableau curtain call.