Hippodrome, Exeter

A novelty of more than usual interest is to be produced at the Exeter Hippodrome next week, and as it savours of the mysterious, should prove a big draw. We refer to "The Mystery Gun" a naval comedy illusion which has met with considerable success in most of the leading music halls. The company responsible for presentation is headed by Fred. Clayden and, according to accounts which have appeared in the Press, the comedy preliminary to the introduction of the performance provides a capital entertainment. The audience is shown a magnificent representation of the gundeck of a battleship and, though the claims of the inventor of the gun (Lieutenant Armstrong) are ridiculed by the Captain , the Admiralty who demand to test the gun offer a handsome reward to the inventor if its results are as claimed. Then follows the illusion in which Miss Erica O'Foyle (an exceedingly attractive actress) is apparently fired from the mouth of the gun, and smilingly emerges from the other side of a steel target. 500 pounds will be given to anybody who can prove that two young ladies take part in the illusion. As to the rest of the bill it is full of good all-round turns, Ethel and May, described as England's foremost juvenile musicians, will appear, they being assisted by their renowned "lightning conductor," Mr. G.S. Thomas late of the Empire Theatre, London. Other attractions are Kisbey ("The Call Boy", "The Gallimore Trio," pantomimists and dancers, and in a comedy act Phil Ludo, in his humourous whistling and banjo entertainment, and Jack Chester and Edith Dottridge the vocal comedy couple or "The Merry Merchant and the Soprano". There will also be the bioscope and "Country Stores" on Friday. (Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Saturday 26 February 1916)

Performed by Cora Duncan & Albert Brasque. Other acts on the same bill: Musical Elephants, Eddie Mills, Special War Pictures (Bioscope), Famous Zanettoes (comedy jugglers), 5 Bombays (dancers).

Performed from 28 April to 4 May. Also on the bill was Jock McKay (Scot comedian).