King's Theatre, Dundee

An illusionary sketch entitled "The Mystery Gun" will be the chief attraction at the King's Theatre next week. This act will be presented by Fred Clayden. It is unique in every respect, and is a most successful attempt to present a mystifying and sensational illusion in a novel and interesting manner. There is a strong vein of humour running through the sketch, the comedy part being sustained by Mr. Charles Cleaveland, who keeps his audience in roars of laughter from start to finish. The scene representing the gun deck of a famous battleship showing the four huge turret guns, was specially designed and painted, and is acknowledged to be a masterpiece of scenic art. The remaining items on the bill include Montes and Welma, in a burlesque comedy act; Leigh and Fenton, in a novel vocal scena; Tom Seymour and CO., in a unique comedy farce, "A Girl in Every Port"; the Mantons' novelty musical act; Al Penney, the Moonlight Minstrel; Camp and Critic, in farcical comedy, "The Waxworks," and Miss Flora Cromer, the famous burlesque artiste, who is paying a welcome return visit. Miss Cromer is possessed of a full contralto voice. She is also gifted with a keen sense of humour and fine dramatic instinct, which all go to contribute largely to her success as an entertained. (Dundee Courier - Friday 21 May 1915) To fire a human projectile through any substance, even steel plates is what Lieutenant Jack Armstrong claims his invention the mystery gun can do. The story of the successful trial of the mystery gun is told in the great sketch of the same name, which appears at the King's next week. Lieutenant Armstrong is in love with Mollie the beautiful daughter of Captain Trevor who is one of the officials appointed by the Admiralty to carry out the test of the great gun. Jack is to receive a large sum if the experiment should prove successful. Captain Trevor is prejudiced against the Lieutenant and his "newfangled notions," but the young man eventually manages to induce the Captain to agree to a private test in which Mollie is to be fired through the ship's steel target. Jack's reward is to be Mollie's hand in marriage. Mollie is placed in the gun, and successfully carries out the experiment without injury, much to the surprise of Captain Trevor. The act is unique in every respect and is a most successful attempt to present a mystifying and sensational illusion in a novel and interesting manner. There is a strong vein of humour running through the sketch, the comedy part being sustained by Mr. Charles Cleaveland as Smiler Simms, who keeps the house in roars of laughter from start to finish. The part of Mollie Trevor the girl who is fired through the steel platen in full view of the audience is admirably performed by Miss Erica O'Foyle. A 500 pound challenge is offered to anyone who can prove that two girls are used in the illusion. (Dundee Courier - Friday 21 May 1915)

The 'Dundee Courier' commented that "The King's Theatre was crowded out at both performances last night" (3 September 1918)