The Washington times., 1903-06-11
LAFAYETTE SEASON TO
CLOSE NEXT week
General Dissatisfaction in
Berger Company.
ACTORS ARE NOT PLEASED
Management Accused of Having Failed
to Live Up to Promises Regarding
Plays to Be Produced.

The current season of the Berger
stock company viii be brought to a
close Saturday night Of next week with
the final performance of CDR. JeByll and
Mr. Hyde" Members of the company
will either join other organizations or
go to summer resorts for the warm
weeks.
For several weeks past rumors of
probable end OF the season at the La
fayette have been freely circulated.
Different reasons have been assigned.
but from authoritative sources the real
causes have been communicated to The
Times.
Three weeks ago Eugene ormonde
and Selene Johnson, leading man and
woman. respectively. were given their
notice by the management. This was
during the performance of 1.-THE Chart
~ Ball" Mr.. Ormonde retired from
the company at the conclusion of that
engagement. but Miss Johnson, believ-
ing the terms Of her contract had not
been adhered TO, refused 10 accept the
notice and so continued TO play leading
roles.
Wyngate's Grievance.
Following Mr.. Ormonde's' retirement,
Charles Wyngate. the Juvenile of the
company was advanced to the leading
position by an agreement with the
management that only such plays would
would he put on at the Lafayette as
were suited TO his personality and
aAilites
The management failed to keep its
agreement. and Mr.. Wyngate, rather
than appear in uncongenial and insult
able roles. withdrew from the company.
Miss Berkeley. the character woman.
also retired. and Miss Johnson notified
the management that she could not long
er remain at the head of the feminine
contingent. Upon this announcement
came one from Frederic Sullivan, stage
director. that ne would reIinquish his
duties at the conclusion of the current
week
Stage Manager Revolts.
Mr.. Sullivan. it is understood, took the
control of the Berger company with the
provision that late successes should
form the tsummer bills. and adequate
equipment should be furnished him for
the presentations. In this the manage
ment failed to comply. Instead of offer
ing such plays as Hearts Afiame'' and
other successes of last season which
have now become stock property, worn
out pieces such as "a Celebrated Case, -
rip Van Wrinkle" 'Trilby," and The
like were given him for production. Mr.
Sullivan. consequently refused to longer
occupy the position of stage director.
1t was at first believed, and was so
stated. that the company would continue
its season with the members who were
left. and engage such Washington play
ers as were n town. However. the an
nouncement was made yesterday that
with the final performance of DIR. Jekyll
and Mr.. HYDE the company's season
viii come to a close. Frederic Sullivan
VIII remain TO stage tho piece.
New Company Projected
It was learned this morning that con
tracts were signed yesterday between
Manager Berger and AIyron LeffingweIl
whereby the latter would assume the
stage direction at the Lafayette after
next week. and the company's season,
therefore. be continued
Several members Of the present com
pany viii remain and others viii be en-
gagged 10 fill vacancies caused by resi- g
nations The new company VIII open
Monday evening. June % The initial
bill has not been announced. but Will
probably be "Sapho'
Mr.. Lefingwel. who is to be the new
stage director. is a Washingtonian and
well known here for his excellent work
particularly in character roles. He has
had experience in direction and has
contributed several dramatic successes
TO the stage.