Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-05

One of the greatest shakeups ever
experienced by a Los Angeles stock
company occurred yesterday at the Be-
lasco theater.
As result there will be a new lead
ing woman and new ingenue before
another month has passed.
Sunday there was disagreement be-
tween Eugenie That's Lawton, the lead
ing woman, and the mana cement of the
company as to the role which Miss
Lawton should assume in SOLDIERS of
Fortune" Miss Lawton wanted to
play one role and she was cast for an
other.
Miss Lawton rendered her resignation
yesterday and 1t was accepted.
Frederick Belasco and John Black
wood held a consultation and a tele-
gram to Miss Amelia Gardner. who is
now in New York, was the result.
Late last night Mr.. Blacl1wood re-
ceived a telegram from Miss Gardner
accepting his offer and agreeing to
open in Los Angeles Monday, June 25.
At the same time the resignation of
the ingenue, Miss Virginia Brssac, was
accepted and Miss Grace Hull was en-
gagged to take her place.
Miss Brissac to Rest
Miss Brissac has been engaged to
| join Florence Roberts company in the
fall and she says she resigns to take a
rest.
Miss Hull has been the ingenue with
| William A. Brady in ''Way Down
East" and was with Grace George in
when Pretty Peggy Comes to Town"
She played at the Knickerbocker thea
ter, New York, two years ago in the
original production of "A Fool and His
Money" This season she has played
the ingenue role with Louis Mann and
Clara Lipman.
Miss Hull will appear at the Belasco
one week from Monday
| Another addition to the company is
Miss Marie Howe, who will be remem-
| bered for her many excellent bits of
character work. Miss Howe has been
playing at the Majestic in San Fran
cisco since her departure from Los An
geles. She will reappear in Soldiers
of Fortune" next week.
| Miss Gardner left Los Angeles lust
a year ago after successful conquest
of the hearts of Los Angeles theater
goers. Since then she has been in New
York.
Miss Langham to Return
AS the leading woman of the Belasco
company she was great favorite and
though many will regret Miss Law
tons departure Miss Gardner will prob
ably be welcomed royalty.
Last evening Mr.. Blackwood tele-
graphed a list of eight plays, asking
her to choose the one in which she will
open June 25.
Among them was 1.-THE Heart of
Maryland" and Mr.. Blackwood believes
that will be her choice.
A telegram was also sent yesterday
to Margaret Langham. who left last
Tuesday for six weeks vacation in
| Chicago. Miss Langham has only Just
arrived in Chicago, but she has been
asked to curtail her vacation and re-
turn to Los Angeles in time to open
with Miss Gardner
Seldom has change so complete been
worked in a local stock company in
will step in to Joseph Galbraith's shoes
next Monday, and the managers Of the
theater are confident that he will be a
valuable acquisition. Mr.. Walling pos
sesseS In addition to a fine voice a good
physique.
Manager Talks of Changes
In speaking of the contemplated
changes last night Mr.. Blackwood said
"We expect to have a strong company
and to give the public some new plays
of the kind they want.
Miss Brissac Gid not resign because
of any trouble but because she wanted
to take a rest before joining Miss Rob-
erts' company next fall. She gave the
regular two weeks notice in the usual
| form.
Miss Lawton resigned. She thought
she ought to play the part of the six
teen -year-old girl which should be
played by Miss Brissac, instead of the
part she has always played in Soldiers
of Fortune
1--WE feel that no one is absolutely in
dispensable in a company and that the
management must decide what Is best
for each member. Miss Lawton felt that
she could not accept our decision and
she resigned.
Miss Gardner is an old favorite and