The Wrong Billet

At Sheerness on the 21st inst. Joe Hayman will produce a new sketch based on military hospital life, called "The Wrong Billet." The cast includes Gus Blake (of Blake and Granby), Fred Powell, and Will Crackles. The sketch opens in town on November 25 at Finsbury Park with the Moss Tour to follow. (The Era - Wednesday 9 October 1918). The Wrong Billet is the leading feature in the Hippodrome programme this week. The sketch is presented by Mr. Harry Thurston, and is admirably staged, the scene being representative of a ward in a Military Hospital. It is described as a farcical comedy sketch of military hospital life, and is full of fun. Of course all hospital visitors are not of the type of "Mrs Buttin" - we have good reason to know that. Such visitors are the exception rather than the rule, and if any do exist we can quite understand the fun that such humerous characters as Gus Blake and Will Crackles would get out of them. There were plenty of merry scenes in the sketch, especially in the brighter incidents at the close. The leading parts in the sketch were taken by Gertrude Le Sage as "Mrs Buttin," and Messrs. Gus Blake, Will Crackles, Fred Powell, and W. Outlaw. The sketch filled the "bill" before the interval - there were five variety items afterwards, the best in which was the exquisite violin playing of Countess Rubedi, the Italian Court violinist, a talented instrumentalist, who elicited demonstrations of appreciation. Her charming manner added to the effectiveness of her turn, and she was encored again and again for her classical and topical renderings. Another clever performance was that of Celest, upon the slack wire. He did some remarkably smart feats, and came in for a liberal meed of appreciation. Anna Martens, a French comedienne, sang British, American, and French trench songs in character. Turns were also furnished by Denny and Don, comedy and vocal artistes, and the Borellis (entertainers). (Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser - Saturday 26 October 1918)

Harry Thurston's company presents an amusing little comedy, "The Wrong Billet," at the Metropole, where there are several other good items on the bill - Jean McCrae, who was formerly a street singer, well deserves pride of place in the Osborne programme, where the entertainment generally is up to standard. (Manchester Evening News - Tuesday 29 October 1918)

The Wrong Billet featuring Gus W. Blake and Elsie Carlyle supported by a good company of artistes is very amusing and brings out many laughs at the Pavilion. The Sutcliffe Family delighted and Fred Cooper gave a slashing display. (Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 12 November 1918) 6.15 & 8.40 Harry Thurston Presents and Entirely new comedy idea The Wrong Billet, Frank Keith, Fred Cooper & Co., Tom Leaman, the Sutcliffe Family. (Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 16 November 1918)