Russian Imperial Navy ship crew members performing a comedy in 1904.

Life on board a navy ship is often rather monotonous. That is why commanders, who care about their crew, often organize various activities in order to avoid boredom. 

In this photograph, taken in 1904 on board a Russian Imperial Navy ship on its way to the Russo-Japanese war, members of the crew have been performing a comedy for their fellow sailors. 

 As we all know, the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-1905 ended in a catastrophe for the Russians. There is no way of knowing whether these "actors" survived the war. 

(The photo - here coloured by me - was published in the Swedish magazine Allers Familj-Journal in 1904.)

The Suez Canal during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905

The Suez Canal was a strategically important seaway during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905. The canal was a neutral zone under the protection of the British. According to e.g. Wikipedia, the British prevented the Russian Baltic Fleet from using the canal on their way to the war zone. However, if one is to believe two of the pictures below, published in the December 18 issue of the Swedish news weekly Hvar 8 Dag, at least some ships of the Russian Baltic Fleet sailed through the canal.

Marine traffic in the Suez Canal in 1904. The ship in the middle of the picture flies 
the Royal Navy flag.

A ship belonging to the Imperial Russian Navy's Baltic fleet in the Suez Canal in 1904.

Provisioning one of the Russian Navy ships in the Suez Canal, 1904.