This is going to be a notable week at the Palace Theatre, wrote The Luton Reporter on Monday, December 18th, 1916. Not only have they got a special variety programme as an introduction to the Christmas festivities, but also because they are adding one more to the many good patriotic things they have done at the Palace since the war began, by arranging the usual matinee on Wednesday as a special treat for the wounded soldiers from Wardown and King's Walden Bury hospitals.

There may be some dismal Jeremiahs who still look askance at any form of enjoyment of public entertainment in war time, but the management of the popular Palace, at any rate, have shown pretty conclusively that not only is a bright and cheerful entertainment a good antidote for war weariness and war worries, but at the same time it may be the means of substantially helping many a deserving local cause and materially assisting patriotic funds and national appeals.

It is a fact that since the outbreak of war the Palace have raised well over £300 for war funds, flag day efforts and other appeals, besides carrying on all the time a splendid work of their own in providing comforts and enjoyment for the men who have been brought home from the battlefields for treatment or convalescence in the military and V.A.D. hospitals in this neighbourhood.

They have set up a record well deserving public commendation and appreciation, and the special effort they are making this week for the benefit of the wounded soldiers ought to have the full public encouragement and support which is required to complete its success.

At Wednesday's matinee for the wounded soldiers there are to be special contests and competitions, and it is going to be an afternoon of real fun and enjoyment. All the men will receive special Christmas presents, and there will also be valuable gifts for the hospitals in the form of an invalid wheelchair and handy light stretcher for Wardown, and an invalid chair for King's Walden Bury Hospital.