New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
The Mission of the
Theatre in War
By Leo Ditrichstein

The theatre is as indispensable as
the press; the one heralds the achieve
ments and disasters Of the contest
ants. while the other furnishes relaXa-
ton and entertainment for those who
read. watch and wait. The argument
that the theatre is luxury may with
perfect proprety be discarded at this
time. as it has been demonstrated that
wholesome amusement for the COM
batants is a positive necessity. The
splendid efforts made by the Committee
on Training Camp Activities, which has
charge of all the diversion, entertain
ment and exercise for the soldiers
while not actively engaged in the game
of war. wildly illustrate the absolute
necessity Of healthful relaxation, men
tally and physically; thus the theatre
is a unit in the great struggle waged
70 keep the world safe for orderly
freedom" Inasmuch as the theatre Is
practically a reflection OF natlonal
character. principles and conditions, 1t
must necessarily exercise an important
function in registering the results
and aiding the progress of this mighty
conflict Of nations.
At this time when every avenue OF
effort must be utilized TO encourage
and sustain patriotism, courage, forti-
tude. conservation, privation, sacrihce
and all the other concomitants that go
TO make up the national life, the stage
rlays a conspicuous part because 1t al
fords an opportunity for relaxation ana
diversion, something that is most es-
scntial TO the holding together OF the
great community polite. In the uni
yersal scheme Of things each must con-
tribute hcr or his share to the good OF
the cause: the manufacturer with his
mill. the merchant with his store, the
mechanic with his labor, the artisan
with his skill. the artist with his art,
the stage with its influence. Every
artery Of endeavor must contribute and
share in this mammoth work; there
fore it behooves the stage to visualize
such amusing, stimulating and health
full themes and cXpositions as worthlly
EXPRESS the universal institution it rep
rcsents. The stage, in addition to per-
forming its function as an entertain
ment provder for the men in train
ing, has gone one step further, and It's
most able representatives have gone
up almost to the firing line to give
there a word Of cheer or song of JOY.
II has thinned its own ranks to sup
ply nations with men who arc willing
Ia give, if need be, their lives for the
cause. Tho stage and players have
been the first TO respond to the call OF
necessity, and at this time the call
of the world has been answered with
an ayidity that has no exception. The
war has not injured and will not in
lure the theatre: ii will benefit 1t, for
il will act as d cruciblc and have that
refining influence for which those who
LOOK Tor inc DetltI lulHEo ~ h'0'i '''''N
art nave been looking for many years
The war will naturally diminish the
general attendance at the theatres, be-
cause in response TO the national slo-
gan; conservation" theatregoers will
bestow their patronage only upon such
performances as are really worth tho
price of admission charged and refrain
from paying first class prices for sec
cnd class offerings; thus the war, IN
an indirect way, will be the instrument
utilized 10 eliminate from the stage the
things that arc unworthy, non-meri-
torious and distasteful, as well as those
that arc antagonistic to public morals
and sentiment.
When all is said and done. theatre
going is very much of habit. Let us
therefore cultivate the habit now Of
catering to our patrons with plays that
tend TO construction and avoid those
that argue for destruction.