ACTORS fALLEN IN THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 7

ACTORS fALLEN IN THE WAR

' The Bishop of' London recently unveiled and dedicated a tablet erected in the vestibule of Drury Lane Theatre in memory of the actors, musicians, and workers for the stage who have fallen, in the war. The tablet contains the names of 250 men, and is placcd near to the bos office. Tho centre panel contains the following- record, 'the last six lines being written by Mr. Louis Parker, 1914-18. Actors, musicians, writers, and worker^'for tlio stage who have given their lives-for their country. . Honour to the immortal o'ead—that "vcat white 'company of shining souls who jjavo their youth that the world might grow old in Peace. n , "Their name livctli for evermore. Theso nobly played their parts: These heard tile call, For God and King and Homo. they, gave their all. - • Siiieo ye who pass in quest of happy hours, , Behold llie price at which those hours were bought! Strew here tlio fragrance of momprial flowers, ' Tlio silent tribute of a grateful though —Louis N. Parker. The Bishop said that in public and ill private had he. always spoken of their profession- as one of tho greatest influences uiMii the lifo of the great oioceso committed to his-spiritual charge. That day he had como to join theni in a very tender act of chivalry and gratitude and love. We owed a great deal to their profession during, tho war for many things, ll'ow many thousands of pounds had thev raised by their acting, without charge, for -the Red Cross? How many wounded' soldiers had t-liey cheered by their acting again and again? In-their theatres they had acted a part in tlio war second to none. Close the theatres Murine; the war He opposed it from ttft very beginning. Why, it was in theatres) like that that those poor men from-the trenches could come and forget for a few 'hours' the bloodshed, tho flic misery.- li was here that the mother, or father; or wife, whose strain was mi.endurable, could find a few hours' relict in some moving scene.