Pavilion, Hawick

Subtitled 'The War Lord's Nightmare' and performed for the full week by Edmund Frobisher. 'See Edmund Frobisher as the Kaiser, Kitchener, and Drake, etc. The first British Actor to give a serious Impersonation of H.I.M' (Hawick News and Border Chronicle, 6 August 1915). Edmund Frobisher presents:' Gott Strafe England' or 'The War Lord's Nightmare'. See Edmund Frobisher as the Kaiser, Kitchener, and Drake etc. The first British Actor to give a serious Impersonation of the German Emperor. We are sure Mr. Frobisher will meet with a most cordial reception. (Hawick Express Friday 6 August 1915) Another feature in a big programme is the presentation by Mr. Edmund Frobisher (Herbert P. Bisher) of his new playlet, "Got Strafe England" or "The War Lord's Nightmare.' The playlet opens with a scene in an apartment of the German Imperial Palace. Here Mr. Frobisher appears, in a convincing make-up as the Kaiser. Presently his Aide-de-Camp Captain Hermann, announces several reverses to the German forces and the consequent explosions of Imperial wrath are very well hit-off. One of the most effective bits of the playlet is that in which the Kaiser dictates replies to certain American protests. The combination of sarcasm and hypocrisy in these replies is cleverly thought out. By and by, the Kaiser retires behind a screen with the object of getting a little sleep, and during his slumbers he has a nightmare in which he is successively visited by Sir Francis Drake, Napoleon, and Lord Kitchener, who discourses to his Imperial Majesty in anything but agreeable terms. All these characters are impersonated by Mr. Frobisher with very creditable appreciation of their distinctive personalities. Finally the Kaiser awakes from his nightmare. Guns are heard booming in the distance, and on question the faithful Herman, the Kaiser is informed the Allies have taken Berlin, and the curtain descends on the complete collapse of His Imperial Majesty. Mr. Frobisher, in this performance, shows marked improvement on his previous efforts, and particularly in the way in which he succeeds in making himself audible throughout the house. The playlet is ingeniously and effectively staged, and at the close of Monday night's presentation Mr. Frobisher was called before the curtain and received a great ovation. Still another turn is provided by the Brothers Erard 'The Navvy and the Pro.' These are musical comedians whose combined musical and acrobatic accomplishments afford much enjoyment. The feature picture for the present week-end is a three-act drama entitled 'Woman.' The story is for the most part enacted amid impressive beautiful surroundings, the acting is first-rate, and the intensely human interest of the plot is most artistically worked out. (Hawick News Friday August 13, 1915)

The Hawick Express, 13 December 1918, advertised: ‘For Adults Only. No person under the age of 16 admitted to see this play. Extra Special Attraction. Mr Oswald Cray presents the great problem play on the burning question of the day - The Unmarried Mother by C Vernon Proctor’. The advertisement listed the cast: Private Walter Newton, the lover, Alfred D. Adams; Lieut. Dennis Allan, in love with Ethel, Frank V. Venn; Gerald Blake, a man of the world, H. A. Langlois; John Chalmers, just a man, Conrad Clerke; Martha Chalmers, his wife, Edna Lester; Ethel Chalmers, his daughter, Florrie MacInnes; Mrs O’Goblin, a good old soul, Amy Wood; Jimmy O’Goblin, her son, Allen Caruthers; The Chaplain at the hospital, James Aster, Eileen, the unmarried mother, Betty Emery; the baby, himself. The setting was as follows: Scene 1, A Room in Chalmer’s House, London. Her secret discovered. Scene 2, Near the Docks, Porthampton. Too late to be married. Scene 3, Mrs O’Goblin’s Cottage, Porthampton. Working for herself and child. Short interval. Scene 4, A Room in Chalmers’s House, London. The wickedness of men. Scene 5, A Street in London. News of the lover. Scene 6, A Hospital in London. Are they married??? Also the Hawick News and Border Chronicle, 13 December 1918. Also: ‘With the exception of an instalment of the serial, the usual picture programme at the Pavilion has been substituted by drama. Mr Oswald Cray’s great problem play, “The Unmarried Mother” is being presented nightly. The caste includes a number of able actors, and the play is presented in a very satisfactory manner, the pathos of the subject handled being relieved by the humour, created by Mr Allan Carruthers in the role of “Jimmy O’Goblin.” Miss Betty Emery as “Eileen” portrays her part with discretion and tact, and she is well supported by the remaining principals. The retribution which overtakes the stern, unrelenting Mr Chalmers, calls for dramatic ability, and Mr Conrad Clerke fulfils the role very successfully. The company are presenting an up-to-date drama, founded on facts, and entitled “The Man who made Good.” This play will be staged to-night and to-morrow night ...' (Hawick Express, Friday 20 December 1918).

‘With the exception of an instalment of the serial, the usual picture programme at the Pavilion has been substituted by drama. Mr Oswald Cray’s great problem play, “The Unmarried Mother” is being presented nightly … The company are presenting an up-to-date drama, founded on facts, and entitled “The Man who made Good.” This play will be staged to-night and to-morrow night, and, judged by what they have seen of the artistes during the week, patrons will welcome this further opportunity of witnessing their dramatic abilities’. Hawick Express, Friday 20 December 1918.