The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-24
BETTER SHOWS
FOR RICHMOND
Mr.. Brady, Head of Independents
Producers, Leaves, Confident :.
of Entering Academy.
MAY REACH TERMS AT ONCE
Miss Leath, Who Controls Circuit
Stock, Will Accept or Reject
Offer Immediately.

Whether Richmond will throw down
the bars and open the Academy of
Music to independent attractions next
season liz now matter OF con)ec-
ture, but 1t Is expected there will be
some definite announcement made In
this connection within the next twen-
ty-four hours.
Mr.. william A. Brady, president OF
the National Producing Managers As
ISOLATION of America, swocped down
upon Richmond Monday and startled
theatrical circles and the play-loving
public with an offer to purchase the
Leath circuit, acceptance meaning m
dependent shows and refusal new
playhouse.
Returns TO New York.
Mr.. Brady returned to New York
Monday night. but left representa-
tive here to conclude negotiations
with Miss Monte Leath, of Petersburg,
who Owns controlling stuck Of the
Leath circuit. The identity Of the
representative has not been divulg-
ed.
Mr.. Leo Wise. manager of the
Academy of Music, declared Tuesday
that Mr.. Jake Wells, who is identified
with Klaw g. Erlanger syndicate.
which virtually controls the Leath
circuit, barring all independent at
fractions. Is confined TO his home on
account of Illness.
II hope" Mr.. Wise said. "to give
out a fun announcement Tuesday at
ternoon of what viii be done. AT
present, however, 1t is impossible for
mo to make any disclosures. Miss
Leath will give her answer during
the day to Mr.. Brady's representative,
and after l have conference with
Mr.. Wells I will be able to make pub
Tic the entire transaction"
Dominated Theaters.
Tor many years Kiaw & Erlanger
have completely dominated the the
aters tl..eughout the South. Realix-
Ing the position of Richmond. Mr..
Brady Is tous to put independent
r attractions as an entering wedge TO
all show cities { the Southland.
Brady was at one time hide bound
by the so-caIled theatrical trust. but
with other producers recently broke
away. There is apparently no doubt
but that the death -kneli of the trust
has been sounded.
In the past to offer opposition to
klaw & Erianger meant distress to
theaters, but there Is now reason to
believe that independent attractions
Will shortly make the trust an insig-
HAilI8nt quantity
The first proposition made Miss
Eeath Is that the doors of the Acad-
envy of Music OF Richmond and the
Academy OF Music of Norfolk be open
10 the independents without prohibit
lag Klaw Il Erianger.
Secondly. Miss Laath is asked to
name price for her holdings, the
idea Of the independents being to Sc
cure control OF the circuit
Miss Leath is also asked whether
she Will lease the Academy.
Mr.. Brady Confident.
When ne left Richmond MIR. Brady
was confident that terms agreeable TO
both parties will be reached.
The refusal Of the Offer OF Mr..
Brady, 1t il understood, would mean
the erection of new playhouse In
Richmond. but the producer wishes 1t
understood that he is not attempting
to drive anybody into line" He is
reported as saying: We would rather
not build for obvious reasons, but II
we cannot get into the Academy here
at the gateway OF the South. we shall
certainly lease another theater. re-
model 1t and enter this field
The control OF the Richmond play
houses by the trust depriyes the pub
lie of many attractions which are now