Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-07-25
ENTERTAINMENT FOR
THE SOLDIER BOYS
Uncle Sam Has Undertaken to
Provide Theatricals CT a
High Order.

New York.-Realizing the need Of
wholesome entertainment for soldiers
training in the National army and
NatioSal Guard environments through
out the country, the government of The
United States for the first time in his
tory, has undertaken the task of pro-
Viding dramatic amusements of a high
order and, to maintain and improve
the standards already set, has gone i'm
to the business OF theatrical MANAGE
ment. The success already achieved,
according to Il resume of the situation
compiled by the commission on rain
Ing carnp activities of the war depart
ment. in charge of the work, augurs
well for the continuation me expan-
sion of tho work.
AS Il first step, the war department
constructed in each of the 16 National
army environments IL theater seating
$500 or 5000 persons, and in each OF
the 16 National guard environments,
q smaller one with a capacity between
1000 and 1900. In each Of these
%theaters there Is being presented night-
ly a dramatic. musical or vaudeville
performance for which the admission
charge is rs cents.
The plays presented are all broadway
successes of past years, given by ex-
cellent companies, the numbers Of
which have given their services at
greatly reduced salaries. Royalties
aAt%NS OSSb - III w Sho SaAS sAsAIs
the scenery and costumes have been
donate by various theatrical manag-
cru. Sonne of the actors appeared in
the original productions.
The government itself owns and
operates a number Of the companies.
Heaven" by Captain II. III. Hughes.
OF Camp Lee, written expressly for
production III ~cantonnents. marks the
Initial attempt OF the United States in
the encouragement OF tho young r
matist. When firs. presented at Camp
Lee, May 16. the play proved an in
slant hit. 4,
Although investigation has shown
that the soldiers taste runs to farceA
and musical comedies with plenty OF
pretty girls, the government is about to
experiment by booking Il classical play,
through the camps. More ambitious
than the type OF entertainment thus
far presented the piece possesses a dis
tinct farcical appeal. Its production
by the Cobarn Players is awaited with
interest.
ductlon In the liberty theaters as the
cantonments p,ayhouses have been
named. is limited by various causes
and 1t is 'impos sible to judge of their
suitability by ordinary standards. Ex-
perience has shown that the soldiers
prefer COulcuIcY, luTCeS ana musical
plays. Melodramas and plays dealing
with the war fire little liked, except in
rare Instances.
Because Of these facts, the Commits.
sion on Training Camp Activities has
appointed a Play Reviewing COMMITTEES
whose duty IL will be to sec Broadway
productions, as well as to decide upon
past SUCCESSES and even new plays.
with a view 90 their production. Lack
Of aesthetic value is not to influence
the committee in its choice of plays.
as entertainment only is to be the basis
FOR the rendering Of judgment.
The thoroughness with which the
committees researches must be con-
Quoted may be understood from the re-
production Of some Of the questions
which appear on a blank form which
the committee must use in submitting
Its report on a play. The questions
follow:
Is the play interesting? Is 1t hunor-
BUS? Is the play decent? Does 1t Of
fend against any religion racial or
national faith or conviction? Is the
aeIi.g good. medium or bad? How
many in the chorus? Are the girls
pretty? IIo they dance we'll? Do they
sing we'll? Is the music pleasing?