The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14

imposing list OF failures he has encounter
ed in the operate line. There used to be
4 saying in theatrical circles that IL MIR.
Frohman associated himself with musi-
cal company it was sure to be a failure.
and the history of his attempts to direct
opera, comic and otherwise, has proved
the truth of the saying. However, to
man with the paying attractions that Mr.
Frohman has, the loss OF hundred
thousand dollars or SO on such material
as was contained in THE Shop Girl.
About Town." His Excellency," Lit
tie Miss Nobody" and THE Rose OF Per-
sia' is not in the least discouraging.
Gustav Frohman, who was in the city
during the week looking after the affairs
OF his brother Charles Empire Theatre
Company, is one of the most enthusiastic
bicyclists in America. In fact, his only
relief from things of the stage is in az
fairs OF the wheel. In the last two seasons
be has literally worn out three bicycles,
anu fourth has only recently been con-
structed specially for him. This machine
is perhaps the longest and largest ever
built, and, while perfectly modern, weighs
| little over forty-ive pounds. It's gear
is somewhat above the 200 mark. and Mr..
Frohman takes great pride in his cyclish
uniquity. His newest wheels predecessor
broke down in a snowstorm in Newport
last spring and Mr.. Frohman was COM
PEELED to piece out the summer with an
ordinary wheel. He expects his present
machine to last the winter through.
| The impending season Of the permanent
| stock company which will open at the
Lafayette Square Opera House one week
from tomorrow night. has been the means
| of eliciting from some dozens of ambi-
| tious young ladies the information that
| they believe they would be successful
upon the stage IL they were given an OPP
portunity to display their histrionic abili-
| ties. Many of them have called on Mana
| ger Fred G. Berger in a state of trepi-
dation. and after nervously asking for
/ a few minutes interview remote from the
regions where the curious might stare.
have asked for an opportunity to go on
and play thinking parts" for nothing.
Many of the aspirants for stage honors
/ have been unusually Observation-Disclosures
has a great number of pretty girls-and
| at no expense whatever Mr.. Berger
might obtain one of the most attractive
corps of extra ladies to grace ball room
ON the stage, that anyone ever saw in this
| or any other city. Some of these embryo
| Bernhardts are in school, some are grad
yates of schools, some Of them are mar
ried women who have husbands getting
| good salaries, and some have obtained
| their liberty from former husbands. Most
of them offer to work for nothing at first
If Mr.. Berger will only give them a
chance to surprise their local friends who
may be somewhat skeptical regarding
their abilities.
Inasmueh as Manager Berger has nc
desire to open dramatic school OF in
| structicn in rivalry to the enterprise OF
Robert Downing, he has been compelled
to decline, though some half dozen young
ladies who have had some stage expert
ence will be utilized as occasion requires.
| Sarah Cowell LeMoyne, whose play 1.-THE
| Greatest Thing in the World was pre-
scented at the Columbia Theatre. this city.
| last season and delighted everyone who
T! saw the admirable performance, came dan
gerously near scoring failure on the oc-
| casion of her opening in New York, last
/, Monday, by her extreme nervousness. Her
! memory failed her and she was compelled
to call upon the prompter for her lines,
after she had mumbled a few words in
coherently.
1t was bad beginning. but she later
! recovered her composure and the piece
| proceeded without further mishap. The
press OF the metropolis criticised the per-
Torrance very severely; in fact, some Of
! the papers were absolutely brutal in their
treatment of the play and its interpreters.
The attitude of the metropolitan news
paper reviewers toward the productions Of
the Liebler Company has been antagonistic
ever since the firm termed the New York
writers banditti because they did not like
the Zangwill play. THE Children of the
Ghetto" Now. it is stated. Mr.. Tyler. the
principal member of the Liebler Company,
proposes to sue some Of the papers OF
Gotham because of their attacks on james
A Herne's play. Sag Harbor." and The
Greatest Thing in the World.''