Evening journal., 1919-06-12
Entertainment.

Entertainment
The Y. NJ. T.. \. has carried on var
ious forms OF entertainment ON a
colossal scale. II is operating a mum
Der Of theatres in different places in
France, and is providing the pest plays
that can be secured without charge
for admission or expense of any kind
TO the soldiers. From February T..
1918. to March -, 1919 the y VI. e. A..
had 702 American entertainers and 22O
French entertainers The number es-
timaicd in attendance at the French
Y. NJ G.. A. vaudeville shows alone was
100000 men.
In March 1919. there were % Amer
icon troupes playing In different parts
OF France under the direct manage
ment of the y NJ G.. A. These troupes
gave approximately 1850 performances
during that month.
In addition TO this. a large number
OF soldier shows have been orsanized
With The aid of the professional talent
employed by the Y. NJ e.. a. An eN-
ample OF the way these shows arc
produced is found at 81. Nazairc
where there is an establishment
kUNMU d. NllH ray ImN ANN = 90 N"AA
sisls Of large auditorium constructed
by the y. VI. G.. A., portion OF which
has been divided into. Offices. which
are used both by the T. NJ. C.. A. and
the army entertainment officials. There
are rooms for the painting Of scenery,
for the manufacture of costumes. and
the distribution Of musical lnstru-
ments. In the auditorium rehearsais
arc constantly being held and every
night there IS new show which
serves as a "iry-out" for the unit per
forming. For This play factory the
Y. NJ. C.. A. provides a part Of the per
sonnel and an Of the money; Whle
the army provides the balance OF the
personnel. transportation. billets. mess
Tor the men engaged in entertainment
work. and mess for the entertainers
Themselves. Amonz the articles FUR
nishcd io the soldiers hy the \. NJ
G.. 4. in the month Of March 1919. are
the following: ij3l costumes. ls.i3i
song books. libretlos and toys Tor
plays. and 1886 musical instruments.
since tho beginning of its work in
France. the \. NJ. 6. A. has purchased
and distributed over 1000 pianos.
Moving Pictures.
More than 90OO0 picture shows were
given in France alone between August
1911 and April 1919 Co audiences thal
aggregated J0OO0000 men Not cent
of admission has been charged. These
entertainments have dispclled me
drearv evenings Of homes.ck boys and
have done much to maintain their nor
NAL mental condition. These movies
arc given i'm every sort Of building and
in ihe omen. anywhere and every
whore that they could possibly ne
given including abandoned chaleauN'
underground chambers of forts. hos
niial wards. village theatres. aeroplsne
hangers. loaye-arc1 casinos, trans
norris and Y. NJ C.. A. huls The scope
of the pictures IS very wide Wl9l.
ever Is virilc and Inspiring. helpiuii
and wholosomcly entertaining, as Nen
I'd sheer fun and nonsense, 80 long as
n ie clean and educational films Where
me- can he used TO advantage. over
3 900 ooO feet Of nlm have been sent 10
t~ance and shown over and over again
mo Dunher OF showings in the nrsl
,,cet ~ Ap~u 1918 was 36S. THIS d as
grown steadily week by wees, o,o ul's'l i,.
fn fHn NTet MNNh NA -AEAtA
number Of shoNings was 42lo. rue
nnmber of projection machines IN op-
er,t,on is over 500. There are 300 mo
picture men and soldiers siVins
pll their time to the Y. NJ 9 \. cill-
ema work. In addition To ms over
Roo Y. ". C. A. secretaries give part
M their time 10 The work.
Leave Areas.
Tho Enelish. soldier in France is
oniv a few hours from his home ana
fbe French soldier is very close To ms
home. When an English or frencn
roldier obtains his leave he can spend
~ holiday at home. Not so win tne
American soldier. Tie is far away rom
home. in a strange land with a strange
language. SO the Y. VI. c. \. endeaNoIs
10 proylde a substitute for home. ~
has opened large hotels and recreation
grounds at various centers in France
Tngland: Italy and Germany, Wiere
our men can go and spend their mol
ldavs. These recreation ceniers are
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