The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-04
Lease 0'Brien Opera House Which Will Be Called i.
 ''Grand'' or ''Shubert"
LIST OF ATTRACTION
 WHICH WILL BE GIVEN
tre VIII Be Built in Near Future. RemodeIed O'Brien to Open
 Late in September

| The O'Brien opera house has been | leased by the National Theatre Owners,
 association, the shubert brothers, and
 will be opened the latter part of Septem-
 Der with line of attractions which is
 sune to arouse gerat interest
 c. A. Bird personal representative of
 the Shubert brothers, and Clarence weis,
 secretary of the National Theatre Owners
 assolcation. who have been in Birming-
 ham for several days. signed the lease
 last night It was at once announced
 that the theatre would be remodeled as
 much as time would permit; that the place would be made as attractive as pos
 sibe and every detail would be looked
 after to give the people of Birmingham
 unrvalled attractions this season. | The further announcement was made
 that the new organization which has en- l tered this field will be on the alert for
 site and that a Schubert theatre will be
 erected in Birmingham just as soon as
 their experts can determine which way
 Birmingham is growing most rapidly. It | is planned to secure central location and
 one which will be convenient to the citys | future development.
 The contracts for exterior painting,
 lobby frescoing and interior decorations
 will be signed today and MT. Bird stated
 last night that very few theatres in the
 south will be more cozy or homelike than | this new one.
 | While it has not been determined finally yet, 1t is understood that the name of the O'Brien will be changed to the Grand | or the "Shubert."
 | The agents of the shuberf brothers last
 night said that the Grand had been se- cured In Atlanta, and that theatres or the | first class had been secured in many lead- | ing southern cities. Thees theatres and | the one in this city will form circuit
 which will receive the bookings of some of
 the most widely known players in the | country.
 Bird Discusses Plans
 In discussing the opening here, MT Bird
 said last night: we are simply invading | the south with the finest list of shows
 that have ever been seen in this secton. We secured absolutely the only aVailaple | playhouse in Birmingham, and Will open | about the latter part of September. We | will not produce any inferior plays, bue
 will at all times place the best possible attractions in this city. We will play | some one-night stands and the larger | opera shows will remain here longer | eve are thoroughly convinced of the greatness of Birmingham and we would | not come south with our shows unless we | could have a theatre in your city. l wish to say that we will cater at all times to the best people of the south. We will have fine attractions and the people of Birmingham will be glad that the Shu-
 berts came to the city. We are fighting for our lives and hope and believe that | N nothing against any firm play or pro- ducer Any man, however different from
 us he may be, if he has a good produce ton, can have our houses. We are for
 the liberty of the theatres and not for one
 class or clan. The theatrical business
 has come to be one of Americas biggest institutions and we will certainly have
 part in the fight. I trust we will be
 able to build in Birmingham within a year. However, that Is a matter that will
 receive the attention of our officers later"
 Mir. Weis. who has charge of the book ings produced contracts last night for plays and players which will be in Bir- mingham He vouched for their appear ance here, and in the list appears many former Birmingham favorites that have | in the past been under different manage | ment.
 Some of the Attractions | Birmingham's shows this fall at the Grand or ''Shubert" will include: Jef- ferson DeAngeis. John T. Powers in
 Home" Frederick Warde. Henry Elixie Virginia Harmed. Grace George. Dustin Farnum, Mother" the greatest success of W. A. Brady: James Mason in the ''Witching Hour." Sam Bernard, Theo- dore Roberts. Savage Grand Opera com pany. Arnold Daly, Wilton Lackeye, Miss Amelia Bingham. Walker whiteside, Frank Daniels. Clara Lipman, Marguerite
 Ellington, Sidney Drew in Billy" Bar ney Bernard and Adele Richey in Tho Girl Behind the Counter" the all-star production of the renewed "Mikado," Miss Viola Allen. Lew Dockstader Thomas
 Wise in the 'Gentleman From Missis- sippi," Madame Nazimova, Maxine Elliott. Marie Dressler, the renewed Prince of Pilson, "The Midnight Sum-" 135 partici- pants; The Chocolate Soldier, and many other high-grade attractions