Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-31
OBSERVATIONS BY
A FIRST NIGHTER

II EWIS s. STONES resignation from
the Belasco company, to take effect
= July IL, was the biggest news event
of the past week in local theatrical
circles. Several months ago it was said
that Mr.. Stone contemplated making a
change, but the report was then de-
MED. Last Tuesday, however, he sub
mitted his resignation in writing to
Resident Manager John Blackwood.
Mr.. Stone himself says there is no
reason for his going. other than desire
to get back east. His relations in the
Belasco company and with the Belasco
management, he says, have been most
pleasant. 1t seems to be merely case
of wanderlust. The lure of New York
fastened itself upon the Belasco's lead
ing man, just as, several months ago.
it fastened itself upon the Belasco's
leading woman.
| Lillian AlbertSon went to New York
and made a success. Doubtless Mr.
Stone will do the same thing. Miss AL
bertson, by the way, is to be married
next autumn to A. ]. Levy, reputed to
be a San Francisco millionaire. Mr.
Stone already is married. His wife,
then Miss Margaret Langham, was a
member of the Belasco company when
he joined 1t, two years ago.
So far only one man has been sug-
gested as Mr. Stones successor, Joseph
Gal's'aith. who will play the leading
role at the Belasco this week In Before
and After and who preceded Mr..
Stone in the position which he may now
resume.
Mr.. Stone has many friends here,
both personal friends and across-the-
footlights friends, who while they will
regret his departure, will wish him all
success In his new field of activity,
wherever it may be.
| Play plans at the Burbank have un-
| dergone q slight change, the produc-
| tion of the new Morosco- -Bachman So
ciety melodrama, "a Society Pilot
| being postponed for one week in order
| to allow plenty of time for building
the scenery. Mr.. Morosco promises that
his latest play will be given the most
elaborate production ever seen at the
Burbank. That sort of thing takes
time; hence the postponement
Present plans call for the presenta-
tion of George H. Broadhursts anus
ing comedy, 1.-THE Wrong Mr. Wright"
next week, to be followed by AIDES
"The County Chairman" and then by
1.-THE Pilot" '"The Wrong Mr.. Wright"
was staged on tour fox, several sea-
sons by the late Roland Reed and re-
manned a popular feature of his reper-
| toire until his death.
Following the final performance of
| the Ulrich stock company at the Grand
| opera house the other night Gilbert
Gardiner. the company's stage direc-
| tor, and Thomas Baker, manager of the
house, entertained the players at a
bohemian supper, tables being laid on
| the stage The affair was something
| in the nature of a wake. A skull and
| cross-bones entered into the decorative
scheme and there were numerous pla-
cards, presenting appropriate words of
| mourning.
1t was a jolly little supper, however,
| for all of that. Everybody made a
| speech to which nobody listened and
everybody told stories to which all paid
| close attention. The rotund and hir-
| sutically deficient manager officiated as
| historian and sketched briefly the ca
| reer of the Ulrich company through its
several seasons. He did not, however,
| explain the origin of the name. The
hit of the evening was a pathetic tale
told by Gilbert Gardiner anent credu-