The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-27
John a. Clarke Mt Chicago.


Mr.. John =. Clarke is now playing his first
engagement in Chicago, having openel at
McVtckers Theatre on Monday evening last
The following notices from the leading ptpers
indicate that he is appreciated in the 'rden
City
FSons TIC CA.cdgo Tinaee.
Mr.. J. g Clarke need question longer the proDl-
sDtY OF not being appreciated in the West In look
hast night he must have felt that he was playing TO
q deepiy-iuterested audience, and TO those who knew
how to appreciate the fine points that make up his
acting. seldom have we seen an audience so intent
upon every word and motion of an actor
Mr.. Clarke PLAYED on last night his old character
Of 'Maior wellington de Boots" in FtdO,o Hunt
THIS thEee-act comedy was adapted for Mr.. Clarke
sy Sterling Coyne, It's author. 1t is not ,'spe-
salty with the comedian, since he has many pieces
m which he appears TO equal advantage Herein
differs Clarkes acting from that OF his only equal in
We presume there was not person present on
last night who did not feel that he was witnessing
euIne rare good acting. And yet not many proba-
bly could give sufficient reason for their satsfac
6on. In a comedy OF this kind, where the comedian
s0ooDstantly IN action, the audience carried
away with the movement of the piece that they do
not stop 10 locate the good points of the actor
Tbey know that his posturing was inimtably natl-
raj and comical they can recall his wonderful
power Of countenance, anu his quiet wit defuy
Ii T0duced, but they cannot go further. IL is a
\ nd of acting that is never exhausted. One eau
itness 1t night after night and yet be far from fully
con pretending It's source Of power. We opine, how
ever that in Mr. Carke's case IL consists in his ge
NAL, spirited way Of introducing every word and
sentence. he has look, too, for almost every word
Bttermost He is never coarse or silly, but always
gives one the highest conceptions of that which is
most irresstibly amusing. A refined, elegant gen
pemsn, and modest withal, he plays from a
higher standpoint than do most comedians He
makes both his text and his actions tell. In all
the supercilous absurdties Of an English major IN
his fuss end feathers, Mr. Clarke was on last night
as perfectly at home as If he had been an English
soldier snOb all his days His laugh was contagious,
AID the ehange.of oOunteBance from mirth to grief
or anger was incomparably we'll done. We do not
wonder that he has had London 'by the ears" for
nearly two years. Mr.. Clarke was very spirited on
hast night inspired, no doubt, by the audience be-
fore him, very few Of whom had ever seen him. 1t
certainly must be pleasant for man 10 appear In
entirely new Geld, and live over the eBchantment OF
a first success.
From the Ch[co9O EpeRi'.J J0urfat
Although the character of "Maior Wellington de
Bootsn js not one of sufficient breadth by which To
ned as Mr. Clarkes there Is quite enough In it, as
played by him, to convince the most skeptical critic
That his personaion OF that role s the very embod-
nent of senus in the most exalted form that comedy
admit OF. Such humor, so intense and yet so
quiet has rarely II ever, been seen upon the Chicago
boards. Weeping or smiling, clustering or towering,
no matter which, broad laugh is eXtorted from the
most cynical observer. Every motion, every atti-
tude, every look is the very essence OF humor The
very set Of his garments rather than their fashion
form, is aughable, while his wonderful facial
power which enables him to give a thousand differ.
ent expires sions-not one OF which Is a grimace-is
simply irresistible.
ETo1a the Chicago RepitJl,cdR.
Mr.. clarke has been called the leading comedian
on the American stage, and we doubt If mis- reputa.
ton is at all at fault AS O delineator OF refined
comedy, Mr. Clarke no doubt stands without ar
and distinct, his dress and makeup perfect anC
his facial expression is immense. His points are
well COntrtved, and are always produced in nea
and genteel manner, never Outstepping the bounds
OF prOpriety. The audience at once received him as
favOrite, and indeed such actors win always find
welcome IN Chicago.