"FROCKS FOR THE FRONT"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 46, 19 November 1918, Page 2

"FROCKS FOR THE FRONT"

' "I am glad to find the Army commanders Appreciate tho importance of alloi'diiiß means'for the amusoment and diversion of the troops in their leisure time."—Tho King's letter to Sir Douglas llaig To choose smart frocks for the front does not often fall lo the lot of a shop assistant. Nevertheless it was_ my luck to do so a few weeks ago, writes "X,' in the "Daily Mail." . The staff officer who appeared in our showroom thai morning looked so imposing with his scarlet tabs and rows of ribbons that I quite hoped that wo were all to be cdniinnndcored for sonic new and noble undertaking for .our country's good. Instead 1 was. asked to show him evening frocks, which ho proceeded to buy in bewildering profusion, explaining that tltey were'for a theatrical troupe run by fionie of the regiments at the front; all tho performers being soldiers, including the "leading lady" and the chorus "girls." Indeed, he said, miß'.v of the soldier spectators believed that tho smart "actress" with golden hair and 'dark eyes who took tlie principal part nnd danced and sang with such verve was reallv a girl! "He has a rattling good voice and innkes up awfully well," explained my client as ho carefully sclecfed silk stockings to match the eau-de-nil confection which was to "bring down tho house" in the new revue about fo be produced. After half an hour's strenuous work a dozen smart costumes had been chosen, with their accompanying lace and silk petticoats, shoes and stockings, and I had learnt much about the running of a theatre at; the front. "What kind of plays do we have? Oh, chiefly of the revue order-full of local hits and allusio.ns. We generally write them ourselves. One of our majors is general manager, and keeps the. troupe up to a pretty high .standard, and,, of course, many of tho actors were on the singe before" joining the Army, Nearly all the performers aro invalided men lit onlv for light work. "Our company is so popular that it has . engagements liooked ahead for months all over the Army zone. Yes, it costs a good deal to run a show like oi'rs; last venr our expenses were something like'two thousand pounds, although the performers get no snlario. ' However, the iakings wero more than ,K!OO0, and we have about 20d to divide among military charities. "Well, I shall want some largo summer hnls now!" And I 'opre'fully 1 watched mv client disappear in the lift towards llie millinery department. Yesterday my brothotj wrole from "Somewhero in France'': "1 am bavin,? ' n rest, and'vou hcl 1 am enjoying ir. : I went last night to fl Y.M.C.A. theatre, where they had i>. ripping company—a. 1 revue with songs and dances equal to ' London. It bucked n.- up no ond-and sou should linve seen the dresses." I wondered whether I had!

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