The Washington herald., 1918-05-05
"Our Boys" to See
Leading Players

war with them their own troupes of players,
chorus ladies, comedians, and marionette shows,
you may be interested in of the big plans
for our vast khaki-clad host that literally is being
dumped into France" these days, to use the ex-
preston OF Lloyd George.
The best blood and the best talent OF the Amer
lean theater is to be drawn upon to furnish en-
tertainment for our boys over the sea-
Louis XIV set example which our patriotic
people of the stage are to emulate. Within COM
paratively few months time trench circuit will
be established along the entire line of the Amer-
can front, and entire companies of American actors
are going abroad to enact American plays for the
benefit of our boys.
Headliners to Go.
Next season. indeed, our own theater may be
denuded of much of its best talent and its leading
attractions to give the American army in the held
what it wants and needs, and deserves to have
the very best in the line of entertainment that
can be given them. Such people as George Cohan,
Raymond Hitchcock, Nat Goodwin, and scores of
others are among those who probably will go.
Who knows but what of our enterprising
managers may establish booking agencies in Paris,
and try out many plays by American play
wrights and lombard the dramatic critics at home
with cable messages to the general effect that
the brilliant comedian, Mr.. -, has whirl-
wind success in the play by Mr.. -. 1t
had a flourshng OF five nights at-(deleted
by censor), somewhere in France before the -
ard - American army divisions. The piece will
be produced in New York next fall"
At a meeting OF "America's Over There Theater
League" and the National War Work Council OF
the y. NJ. c. A, in New York recently, speeches
were made by F. H. Sothern and Winthrop Amcs,
who have just returned from France, to formulate
the first plans for the American theatrical invasion
of the trenches, and by Augustus Thomas and
George NJ. Cohan.
"a very great distinction has been conferred
upon our calling" said Mr. Sothern. 81 need not
tell you with what pride Mr.. Ames and l went
upon this mission abroad. The necessity for
tertanment at the front becomes very obvious
when you land amongst the forces-when you per-
ceive their life. the conditions under which they
live, the monotony of their existence.
Home Via the Theater.
an the end the people of theater will be called
upon to furnish least so per cent of the services
that necessary, in the way of entertainment in
the field. We, who have travelled all over the war
zone and have become known to all the boys in
the army or less, should know that the desire
they have for some thread with their homes is very
pathetic. You very we'll understand that those
men of armies who have, say, lived in Kan
kakee, any other town, and who have seen the
various and actresses, vaudeville stars, and
the various picture stars, will have immense
stimulus when they realize that any of these we'll
known people have taken the trouble and have
cared sufficiently for the cause to cross the ocean
and put themselves to real financial loss to afford
the of the armies the best that the nation
has in the way of entertainment"
Augustus Thomas said:
Let send the biggest names that have
got II is going to much to those men
there if six months in advance they
know that George Cohan is coming, or that Maude
Adams Nat Goodwin is coming, any of the
to which they have responded; and know
-. A.. I.L:z
ing is called for volunteers-that there will be
wonderful sight"
Winthrop Ames in the OF address
descriptive OF conditions abroad said:
You mustn't carry company of than
six at the outside. All the scenery you'll be able
TO carry ought to be under your hat Your cos
tune, if you take one, must pack in a flat hand
bag; otherwise, there won't be room in the Ford
But, OH respect that humble Ford! 1t cost 1000
in France. and had to be fought for at that! And
the gasoline that feeds it can only be had by order
from the army and it's penal ofense to use
drop for pleasure riding.
"In some of the more important camps there
are separate auditoriums-except that auditorium
is altogether too grand word Sometimes the lit
tie stage has drop curtain, oftener it hasn't
Once in while the boys have painted a rudi-
mentary back-drop. 1t almost always represents
New York harbor with the Statue of Liberty
There may be little gasoline engine coughing its
life away outside, and so you may have the luxury
Of elecric lights. Sometimes the light is kerosene
lanterns, and in while candles But even
when there is light enough it's hard to see, be-
the place is filled with smoke.
Where Are the Girl Shows"
you see what happens to the show that de-
oends on scenery and costume. The fact that
you are coming to play will have been chalked
up week ahead the bulletin board outside
The hut, and the place will be packed with boys to
Welcome you. In getting to one hut where Mr.
Sothern was to read, were an hour and
quarter late. The boys had waited all that time
Ehistling and singing in chorus to keep them
selves amused, but not a left his place because
Ie knew that some else would take it if he did
You its not only entertainment you'll