The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-10
SEASON CLOSES
 AT THE JEFFERSON
"Happyand" Ended Year for
 Big Road Companies
MANY DATES CANCELLED
Taken as a Whole, However, Birnina- ham Secured All the Star Attrac- tions That Came South Dur
 ing the Past Year.

The theatrical season at the Jefferson theatre came toa brilliant close last night With De Wolf Hopper's production of that tuheiul comic opera, "Happyland The season closes about one week earlier this year than it did last year, Bob T'aylor being booked for lecture about the mid aie of April 1907 The last regular road attraction one year ago was The Ginger bread Man." on April 13 It was a far clcal musical fairyesque that pleased everyone about as well as "Happvland , ana It seems to be one of the rules of k. S Douglas, manager of the Jefferson to book some good musical play for the closing of each season.
 Just at this time of tho year, when the average theatre-goer's mind is agitated with the good things it has been his pleas- ure to witness through the winter. it may be interesting to know that Birmingham mas been fortunate in securing every big attractlon that came south. In face Of the fact that theatrical companies have been forced to pay higher railroad rates than ever before demanded on account or the ruling of the interstate commerce commission, this is understood yto mean that the New York office has confidence in Manager Douglas opinion as to what kind of attractions the people here vii, patronize, and book the very best Some Of the shows that cancelled engagements in other cities played Birmingham be- cause they felt that this city would SUD- port any attraction that was deserving The box office books show that with prob ably one or two exceptions no worthy at traction mad any reason to regret playing here, the heavy expenses notwithstand- ing.
 The records show that something like z4 attractions were cancelled because of the increased expenses incurred in travel ing about the south. The majority of the cancellations were shows that would not have appealed 10 representative the- atre-goers, but the high railroad rates did keep several attractions of class away from the south all season. Taken as a whole, and in the face of adverse cir cumstances, the season has been a splen- did one for the reason that Birmingham had an opportunity to see stars that had never been this way before. One of these was Clara Bloodgood, the actress who committed suicide, in a hotel in Balt- more She delighted Birmingham in "The Truth" and thoroughly entrenched her self into the good will of local people. who deplored her death. Madam Butter
 
 the people had waited long to see, and their anticipations were more than met with the beautiful production Rose Stabl in ''The Chorus Lady" was also new star for Birmingham, and if she eyer comes back this way the theatre will hardly hold the people. "The Great Di- vide' was western drama that this city had looked forward to seeing with inter- est and 1t met all expectations Kubeik was one of the big musical events of the season, and there were other good plays and star actors and actresses who ap- peared upon the boards at the Jefferson for the first time this season.
 Although we were not as strong nu- mercally this season." said Manager R. s. Douglas, when speaking of shows that have come and gone. i've had many high class attractions and all did good busi- ness, At the beginning of the season the prospects were unusually bright, although the theatrical people. the producing man. agers. realized that they were up ganst it. so to speak, so far as railroad rates were concerned. Then came the panicky feeling last November, and for several months there was not much certainty about some of the weaker companies on the road. Most of the big attra ctions went right ahead, filing all bookings. and it developed that the people were not quite so hard up as one might suppose that is here in Birmingham at least I am gratfed with the results under the circumstances and would like to call your attention to the increased number of at fractions playing here two nights, and in one or two instances three nights. Looks like we'll soon be a two-night stand, don't it?'
 According to the bookings, February appears to have been the disas trous month this season. Only six attrac ctions were presented during that month as against r in February. 1907. January of this year, though beat January of last, the figures being IS and 16 The first month of the season last year brought eight shows. while seven held the boards this year. There were r. shows at the Jefferson last November, as against 15 in November, 1906.
 Although the regular theatrical season has closed, the Jefferson will figure in a number of commencements this spring, and negotiations are now on for one or more late special attractions. There was some talk of bringing a grand opera com pany here, but it is understood the project has been abandoned. It is almost a fore gone conclusion, however, that Lee. the hypnotist will be brought here for week sometime this spring.
 PARIS CLAIMS COMEUP