Empire Music Hall, Burnley

Performed for the week by Harry Buss. Others on the same bill: Will Lacy (American cycling comedian), the Two Violets (speciality dancers), Les Morris (whistling gipsy), Jack Martin (baritone), Alice Gill (Swiss Tyrolean vocalist). 'One of the most expensive sketches which have been shown here, and wherever it has been shown it has created roars of laughter' (Burnley Express, 26 January 1918) 'A very full house on Monday night..."In the Trenches", by Mr. Ralph Roberts, is a delightful little one-act production, and though humour, of course, predominates, there is a touch of realism and a suspicion of pathos which very vividly pourtray (sic) the life of the men in the front line. "Any old trench" is the scene, and the sketch opens with several of the men playing cards, with Pte Joe Huggins (sic) on the look-out. Then he looks over the card deal, and tells one chap that he can't go nap as one of the others has the ace - a breach of the rules which ends in a rich bit of comedy when the officer makes Huggins tip up the losings. The arrival of the postie, following two capital trench jingles, has both its laughable and pathetic side. Joe receives a letter " 'from 'er" - 'er being "Hemma" - and the reading of the letter is richly funny. Then the attempt to provide a parcel for the disappointed one is a piece of brotherliness which, though it ends in fun, is realistic and characteristic. "Joe Huggins" is not of the "Ole Bill" type, but he is a charming personality - full of humour, wit, and cheeriness. Mr. Harry Buss, with his wealth of facial expression, is perfect in the part, and has indeed created a real, live character. He is well supported in every way' (Burnley Express, 30 January 1918)