The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-27

Mr. J. 8. Clarke as "Jersm,rh Beetle"

MIR. J. =. Clarke as "Jersmlrh Beetle"
Mr. Tom Taylor has tried his hand at nearly
everything In the way of play-writing tragedy,
comedy, farce, melodrama, and nondescrpt
sensationalism-but he has seldom, If ever, pro.
duced anything better in Its way than the lively
little three-act comedy upon the theme of The
Babes ia tbe Wood which was represented to
crowded house last night at the Walnut. The
misadventures of the young runaway couple,
whose innocence and hexperence make them
genuine babes in the wood when they find
themselves disowned by their relatives add cast
upon the tender mercles OF lodging house
keepers, pawnbrokers, aud discounters of bills
are conceived in the true comedy spirit, while in
Jeremiah Beetle, the henpecked husband of the
elderly female with rooms 10 let, there is full
length comic figure that affords an actor like Mr..
Clarke ample opportunities to create an Infinite
amount of innocent laughter. Jeremiah
Beetle" in some respects, resembles "Henry
Dove" but there is a difference, as "Beetle" is,
in his proper sphere of life, the henpecked
factotum of lodgiug-house, aud his eccentrci-
ties are as much in keeping with his surround
ings as those of 'Mr Dove" are opposed to
them. Mr.. Carkes personation of this charac-
ter, whom adverse fate has made the guardian
angel of the babes in the wood, is Infinitely
amusing, and throughout the three acts
of the play last night the audience was
kept in a roar of laughter. NJ. Clarke has i'm
proved much during his absence from this city,
and while his acting is as broadly farccal as
ever was, ne shows greater appreciation of
the finer elements of comedy than he was wont
10 do. Always an immense favorlte in this city
the crowds that are now filling the Walnut
every night prove not only that he has main
tanned his hold upon the regards of the public
but that he is appreciated to an even greater
W.T. tlap fiu,Ae NJ. a~lya
done genuine service to dramatic art by PROV
ing that low comedy can be funny without being
coarse, and for any one afflicted with the blue
devils no better prescription be given than
a visit to the Walnut to witness one of his
laughable presentations.
Independently of Mr.. Clarke The Babes in The
Wood was very cleverly acted last evening
Mr.. and Mrs. Walcot making excellent repre-
sentatiyes of Frank Rushton" and Lady
Blanche" the 'babes" in question.
The City Amusements.
AT THE WALNUT this evening Mr.. John s.
Clarke will personate Jeremiah Beetle" and
"Timotby Toodles."
Tomorrow evening Mr.. Clarke will have
benefit, when he will appear as 'Jack Hum
phries" and General Jocko" in Poole's comedy
of Turning the Tables.
AT THE ARCH the comedy of NJ p will be
represented this evening. This play will be
withdrawn after the present week. and on
MOuuty ne" cOUeuy, onIltleu IHe ItCO noses,
win be produced
AT THE CHEsNUT the burlesque of Ernani
will be performed this evening.
On Monday Mad'lle Janauschek will COM
mence an engagement of English tragedy, dur
ing which she will appear as "Mary Stuart"
Deborah, "Lady Macbeth, and other tragic
characters.
AT THE AMERICAN the French Athletes will
appear this evening in conjunction with other
attractions.
AT THE ELEVENTH STREET OPERA House
burlesques. songs, dances and Ethiopian eccen-
tricities will be performed this evening.
AT THE ARCH STREET OPERA HOUSE
amusing variety of burntcork comicalities will
be presented this evening.
AT DUPREZ IL BENEDICT's OPERA HOUSE Mr..
Andrew Redifer, supported by Miss Susie
Schenck, will appear this evening In Charles III
and the farce of Betsy Baker.
ADAM FoREPAUGH's combined meHagerie and
circus will exhibit this afternoon and evening
at the corner of Broad and Wallace streets.
The following from the Weekly Times, is
strong evidence of the manner the Londoner5
received our Philadelphia favOrite:-
Mr. John S. Clarke, whose impersonation of Major
Wellington de Boots has been source OF intense
amusement to playgoers for some months, has just
appeared in new piece with most remarkable sue
1t is seldom an audience are so interruptedly
and continuously pleased At the first scene laughter
commences, and never ceases until the curtain falls,
and scarcely then The piece is full OF whimscali-
ties, quaint sayings, odd expressions, and funny
ideas and the part Mr.. Clarke exactS Will become
as celebrated as any Of modern times, and the new
comedy, Foo u.s. Goose, will retain its place in the
Strand for some hundred nights to come. Although
the piece is eXtravagant In s nature 1t gives Oppor
tunities for fine acting, and nothing better
humorous than Mr.. Clarkes performance has been
seen for some time."
CITY ITEMk.