Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16
SEAGO|NG THEATER
PRIDE Of CAROLINA
Unique Enterprise, Only Salt
Water Theater, Packs EN-
In at Southern Towns.
BY JOSEPH p. WATKINS.
Correspondence of The Star and North
American Newspaper Alliance.

American Newspaper Alliance.
ELIZABETH CITY, N. C.-Miles
from home, Washington County
fisherman was overhauling his
nets. A big run of shad was on. and
he was so absorbed in his work that
the sun was almost down before he
observed the time.
He glanced at his watch, and with
out more ado dropped his nets over
board. to the CONSERVATION of his
partner. The string was only half
finished and he was suddenly making
ready to so ashore.
I'D almost forgotten I'd promised
the old lady to take her to the floatin'
theater tonight" he observed, IAN if
I don't git back in time for that,
therell be no more peace in my
household this week."
That's what North Cardinals sea
going theater means to folk living In
the towns and villages on the rivers
and bays of the northeast. The James
Adams Floating Theater is the only
deep-sea, saltwater thcater going.
One week it plays along the banks OF
the Dismal Swamp Canal, another 1t
is in Tyrrell County or at Plymouth
on the Roanoke River. and finally at
the end of the season it drifts home tC
play a second engagement in the port
of Elizabeth City.
The enterprise carries no advance
man; it seldom advertises In the news
papers, posts no bills and shuns pub
licity. 1t is the only theatrical outfit
that newspaper men have found max
ing the unusual claim that publicity
doesn't help it to make money.
Owned by Millionaire.
While there are number Of float
ing playhouses showing on the Mis-
siSsippi river. the James Adams
Theater. now on it's annual tour in
the eastern section. is the only one
in the country touring the long
stretches of salt water.
1t is distinctly a North Carolina
product. It's home port is Elizabeth
City. It was built at Little Washing
ton in 1914. of good Beaufort County
timbers, selected on the stump by
James Adams himself. the millionaire
Snowman who owns the boat and con
ducts the enterprise.
You'll find her listed as the "PIay
House" among the unrigged merchant
vessels in the tonnage register of the
Department of Commerce. She car
llCS 20 pei SOIlS, ttIS IIid tI .
musicians, cook, captain. and the mer
who work the tugs that tow her from
place to place.
Ever since she was built she ha:
been playing one week stands, tied t
stump on the banks of the INLAND
waterways. the Dismal Swamp Canal
and the rivers and bays of north
eastern North Carolina and south
eastern Virginia
When the show opened at Eliza
beth City recently, all Of the 7Ot
seats were in service. The show was
of the old-fashioned. holSum type. A
musical review had been playing ir
town all the week. but had moved out
before Saturday night when the float
ing theater put on it's show.
The town had been getting its regu
lar run of good movies. But the show
boat was chockfull. Among its pa
irons were Elizabeth City's best PEG
pie, many Of whom see the best New
York has to offer several times a sea
son. Ninety per cent Of the attend
ance paid the extra Is cents to hear
the concert after the play was over.
Charles Hunter, director, stage man
ager, actor and brother.in-law of the
owner. explains the success of his at
traction thus:
1--WE bring a modern theater, with