in cross roads a sad vaudeville the flag man primary purpose in the play is to

To determine the primary purpose of the flag man in the vaudeville play "Cross Roads," we can analyze the context and the role the character fulfills. Since "Cross Roads" is a sad vaudeville, it likely features elements of comedy and a storyline that evokes emotions, including sadness.

The flag man, traditionally seen in vaudeville performances, is responsible for signaling the end of a scene or act using a large, colorful flag. This serves as a visual cue to the audience that the current scene or act has concluded, allowing for a smooth transition to the next part of the performance.

While the flag man's primary purpose may vary between productions, in a sad vaudeville, his role could be to provide moments of comedic relief to the audience amidst the melancholic themes. By employing slapstick humor, physical gags, or exaggerated movements while handling the flag, the flag man can momentarily lighten the mood and bring moments of levity to the audience.

Additionally, the flag man might also symbolize the fleeting nature of happiness or bring attention to the juxtaposition between sadness and humor. His presence amidst the sad storyline can underscore the bittersweet nature of the play, reminding the audience to find moments of joy even in difficult circumstances.

Ultimately, to fully understand the primary purpose of the flag man in "Cross Roads," it would be helpful to watch or read the script of the play to gain a more nuanced perspective on the specific intentions of the playwright and director.