The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-05
TO TRY BIRMINGHAM
AS THREE N|CHTER'
VIM. A. Brady Will Send
Little Women" 8 Nights
and 3 Matinees

Announcement is made that Birming-
ham is to be subjected to experiment as
"three-day town. for the first class
theatrical attractions touring south of
the Mason and Dixon line. Should the
experiment prove successful, the city will
be. formally graduated from the zone
night stand" classification to take rank
with New Orleans, Memphis and other
cities that get the big stars and reign
ing successes for engagements of three
days and week.
William A. Brady's production of Lit
tie Women" which ran all last season
at the Playhouse in New York, has been
selected for the test by r. S. Douglass,
manager of the Jefferson theatre, and the
piece will begin its three days engage
ment at the Jefferson on Monday. No.
vember "a. AS a further experiment. a
matinee will be given every day at
o'clock, this being in line with the ten
dency in the larger cities to patronize
later and more frequent afternoon per-
formances. The regular matinee hour at
the Jefferson has been 2:3O
OF course, Little Women will not be
for three days. The city's amusement
records reveal a few such events, but for
the most part they have been heavy
spectacular offerings like ben -Hur'' and
''The Shepherd King" The really good
dramatic successes and musical comedies
have tarried only one day. with an oc-
casional matinee. Even robin Hood"
one of the most important of this sea-
sons offerings, was seen for only one
performance.
Annie Russell and her old English
Comedy company were likewise under the
impression that Birmingham is a lone
night stand,' but their change of mind
liss reflected in the booking of a return
engagement within a week.
William A. Brady, perhaps the most
prolific of all the American producers.
has had his business eye on Birmingham
all this season and at a recent conference
with some of his associates the feasibility
OF graduating the city from zone night
err to 'three-day town" for first class
plays was discussed. r. S. Douglass
manager of the Jefferson, had already
written Mr.. Brady and other leading man.
ayers calling their attention to the city's
prosperity and when the subject was
taken up in the conference a quick deci-
]
send good show for three days and
watch the results
Mr.. Brady's production of Little Wom-
en- was selected for the test partly at the
suggestion of Manager Douglass, but
mainly for the reason that it is one of
the most profitable attractions in south
ern territory. Its engagements in Rich
mond, Norfolk, and other cities of the
upper south have established the season S
records for attendance at the first class
theatres of those cities.
Quite naturally, the attention of the
theatrical powers will be focused upon
Little Women" during its engagement
here and within a short time afterward
it will be known definitely whether the
city has really graduated to the dignity
OF a "three-day town."
To aid Manager Douglass in preparing
for the engagement, Mr.. Brady has sent
representative here three weeks In ad-
vance Of the play. After studying the
local situation. this man is now in the
city and he wired Mr.. Brady last night
that Birmingham 'siZes up from every
angle of practical showmanship.