The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-10
ACADEMY PATRONS
EAGER FOR STOCK
Theatrical War Has Forced Too
Many Dark Nights at Lead
ing Playhouse.
FINE PAYING CHANCE HERE
Leatl' People Discuss Question,
and May Crafty Public
Demands.
FINE PAYING CHANCE HERE

While SO many regular patrons of
the Academy of Music are complaining
ABOUT the small number of attractions
offered there this season. the propo-
sltion to put in high-class stock com
pany. which has met with popular
favor. Is said to be under consider.
alton by Jake Wells and his associates
In the Leath Circuit.
under present conditions the local
management is practically helpless.
inasnuch as the theatrical war IN New
iorK IS responsible for thu scarcity Of
productions here While the Academy
maintains the open door In its broad
est and most liberal sense, the Shu-
berts and the so-called independents
VINO Fought for an open door, refuse
to appear unless the Leath people
par klaw & Erlanger. Mr.. Wells took
the position that he would not swap
one trust for another trust. that all
We're welcome. and that IL all did not
come 1t was not his affair.
Must Pick Only one,
This. in word, is the old story,
which again shows how the public
must suffer and how the management
OF every theatre in the South is help
less-being forced to affiliate with tho
shuberts or Klaw e. Erlanger But
while the fight continues It means
many dark nights. and there will be
many dark nights unless stock at
fractions can be provided.
Thus far Mr. Wells has not given
any pubic statement as to what he
might be able to do under the circurl-
stances. although it is known that he
has discussed the matter with his as-
sociates. 1t Is rather late in the sea-
son to look around for material, but 1t
is not too late. Conditions In Nor
4olk and other Leath Circuit towns
are exactly the same as they are In
Richmond and that being the case the
stock company can be switched from
town to town when New York attrac-
tions are booked for the Academy on
certain nights. 1t has been shown that
stock paid mighty we'll in Richmond
Turing the hot summer months, when
most people We're away from the city,
which means that 1t would pay still
better in the winter months
Biiou Alone Profits
The Biiou alone profits from war
time conditions, for it has provided
a better line of attractions than in
former years, and is playing to ca
paeity SIX nights in the week with
three matinees. But there are people
who want something still better than
what the Bijou offers, and their only
chance of satisfaction must come from
the academy Almost every day there
Is talk of Shubert theatre being
erected here. That would still leave
the Academy exactly as 1t Is now, with
about the same number of attractions
In the new playhouse. Moreover, 1t
VIII be year or more before a new
house could be opened, and the public |
Is anxious to have entertainment in
the meantime.
The Leath players could virtually |
have full winter season in Rich I
nond. Norfolk and other cities, and /
most of their time could he put in |
here. which is by far the best theatre I
town south of Washington.
Public Not TOO Critical.
After being left high and dry so |
long time the public would not be |
too critical in It's demands, provided |
al least as good as what |
the BENJAMIN players put on last sum
mer is guaranteed. There Is plenty of I
open room, the open-door policy |
amounting. in effect. to open time, |
simply because the Shuberts will not
come In except on a syndicate sched |
lle which would give them an exclu-
sive monopoly. II they want that Mr.. |
must build their own theatre. They /
have turned down one or two good
offers because their demands were too
exacting, and IL they build they may
De forced to go 1t alone.
Mr.. Wells is expected here to.night. |
and he may be able to state whether
or not 1t will be possible to crafty |
his patrons wishes in giving them
winter stock of high-class type.