New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-21
Mr.. JOHN S. CLARKE At THE WINTER
r fr f'1ev GARDEN Hoi


that comedian, there was seldom an actor with the
presumption TO play the part in this city. But the
character offers too many, and too good opportunities
for the effective display Of the powers OF the artist,
to be permitted to pass from the stage, merely
because its celebrated representative has passed
from the world, and several aspirants have in the last
year ertwo wrung from the greatest admirers OF
Barton, certain measures CT applause in this play.
None of them have until now, however, departed
widely from the Ecreoyped conception, and all later
persona,ions have been limitations, more or less elose,
Of the great Bultonian original.
The play itselfis one OF the worst OF bad melo-
dramatic SCHOOL ard the leading character even Is by
no means sublime creation but it possesses certain
touches of nature which comedian OF genins can
bring out so sharply TO produce wonderfully telling
Effects ...r.
Mr.. John s. Clarke, who played bat single brief
engagement in this city since his name rose from the
undisngushed level Of the stock company, did not at
the time Of that engagement enact this character but
appeared in Monday night for the first time here.
Tia this success fully greatas in ally other OF bis
presentations, ia sayng perhaps too little Tor TO many,
Toode" is the best Of all his efforts since we have
known him in New-York.
| He was received by an audience gratifying as to
to numbers, and eminenty complimentary as to enihn-
siasn. SO favorably were they impressed with the
! efforts of the young actor that he was twice called
back after his exit in the middle of scene, 10 receive
the complimentary cheers Of the house, high favor 80
se1 om accorded actor that he should mark liz oc-
cuirence with the peueft Of white stones IN his cal
endar Of bright and lucky days. r
II nav not be uuineEe.ting here 10 state that Mr.
Clarke is al present suffering severely from the effects
of fall from his carriage, TO which runaway hoiEe
treated him lar, Thursday severe cnt in the head
bruised rib or go, strained arm, and dozen OF
minor but painful bruises, arc the pleasant fenein-
branees of that sr which Mr. Clarke yet carries with
| him on the stage.
TIE leading characteristic of Mr.. Clprkes perform
/ ance Of "Toodo deserves specsl and most CONF
mendabe notice. II il bis careful avoidance OF every
thing that might seem to be imitation Of any OF the
iusrious comedians who have before acted the part.
He especially most siudousy avoids the peculiar aud
vellknown {" stage-business" with which Mr.. Burton
was wont TO act the whole heeer in roar and thus
by bis own voluntary act, debsn himself the avail OF
/ certain never.faLng points" in which he conld
scarcely hare failed to be inimiiably funny. Tie
severe extent Of this deprivation can only be rightly
understood and perfectly comprehended in all It's force
| BY those who are intimate with the techneahes OF
stage performances but IL cannot fail to greatly
hance tho reputation Of actor who shows himself
strictly conscientious a. sacrifice applause that dearest
treasure Of an acor heart 10 strict and severe origin
atty. Mr.. Clark might doubtless make ToOdle
hnnisr than now he does he content TO DO cs Of
! true artist and more of more mimic.
In this, rs in ali lis other personationS, the dr.
tngushng quality OF hs acting is careful regard for
what IL simply natural. Though ToOde,' as de-
ineated BY the author is very highly colored, and
perhaps entirely oyerrswn still Mr.. Clarke contrives
10 inyest il with nauralness that almost would clear
tie author from the charge Of exsggeration.
TIE great feature OF the play is considered TO be
certain drunken scene wherein the hero by stage ira
dtion IT, sufernee permitted 10 Ey and do almost
anything that will provoke a hughi and, of course,
this privilege has been frequently ayaed Of to excuse
antics that the drunkenest Of all drunken men could
mover have found ]. possible TO PerPeirate
Mr.. Clarke has changed all this. His drunk is a
natural drunkone that ia instantly recognized genu-
Inc by discriminating pFepondersnce of the male
bcholders.
IIo is drunk in the legs in the knees in the heels
in the hands and not in merely the Preposerous neck
tie the absurd hat, or the thumbless gloves. HIS
inebriey comes uneonseiousy out in the unstesdineSs
Of tie head the oppness of the neck the THO knees Of
the voice. the spasmojc attempt 10 conceal the bctray
ing hiccup and ia not merely srtiheiay forced upon
the eye, in the deliberately out-ofpace necktie the
coat 60 carefully buttoned in the wrong place, the
pantaloons 30 SYSTEMATICALLY tucked outside the boots
the bal systematically Get one ear or the gloves
20 never-islingly drawn upon the wrong hands. In
fact this description would distinguish Mr.. Carkes
drunken scene from that Of all mere imators Of a
foregone model-it is an inebriety VI the man, the
brain the body and tie limbs, and not feigned In
toxicaion simply Of the outer individual set forth by
studied and artificial disarane Of the boots and
brooches.
Though this character of Timothy Toode" savos
neither OF the sublime sentimental, and cannot
claim TO be the creation Of Shakespeare, still, slight
ash IT, II IL vehicle sufficiently important for the
display of his irst-uIfe ability by young actor who
is unquestioraLy the most promising comedian in his
line that America has now TO boast
The farce Of Rough Diamond" began the enter.
tsinmens, in which the actor gave that personstion
of Cousin Joe that 90 delighted the city last
The Margsry" Of the evening, Mrs. Aloxins Fisher
Baker, was fsyoraby received, but teemed TO be suf
ferng from some symptoms Of nervousness, that per-
haps made her appear to less advantage than We have
at other times seen her.
The company engaged to support Mr. Clarke are Of
good ability, and were received with much favor.
Mrs Z. n. Thayer formerly Of Philadelphia, as Mrs
ToodIe," did well and won applause. Mrs. Mariowe,
and Mrs Chanffau favonte Of several seasons were
hailed with gratifying favor.
IN the afterpiece, a. The Fret Might Mr.. Lewis
Baker made his rst appearance here q, NJ. Dufsrd"
A plumber of other favorite plays will be speedily
produced.