New-York tribune., 1874-12-01
THE DRAMA-Fr&E ARTS.
THE DRAMA.

| THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS rHEATER-MR. CLARKEs REATNEARAYCE.
Mr.. John S. Clarke came forward at i'ooth's
| Theater, last night and welcomed with hippy
laughter and hearty good-wi by crowd OF spectators
| that filed the house. Nearly five years havo passed
since this comedian was last by this public"
many cross accident in the time:" but no accident
could be enough to drive such image OF fro,
and gentleness out OF the kndest recollection. Mr..
| Clarke's acting, last night, was watched
| with almost loving eyes, and IL left
a furrow OF laughter in It's wake, and the
pleasantest thoughts when all He has changed
only in the maturity his art; he makes his precise
and finished eccentric effects with spontaneous
than beiorc that were possible; but In spirit aud
style and character he remains the same that he always
was-and Mr. Clarke always brilliant actor and an
absOrbingy comIca person. His bOrn faculty for acing
has been cultivated with really scientific thorougbness
He has learned his powers. and ho has learned
how to use them-:O results certain as tho
combinations Of the wisest chemistry There 10
not button bls coat that doas
its in the artistic picture which he
creates before laughing eyes. HIS very OaeH IA
eoduent of mirth. and-deeper tan mrtl-of cbarac-
ter. His cOuDtenance now wooden as painicd doiS
becomes with the suddenbess OF Hgl snrchtigci :'"
comic apprehension and brilliant drJilery' Elcn Hu'
Election OF his voice TO bring out new sh'de 81
meaning and he thus pile funny effect upon aI
other I'll a perfect climax Of humorous ana eccehu'c
situation aud significance makes his auditors roar Win
inextinguishabc laughter No actor could gc' ihOi'
meaning OF the keen nalf-nes OF the practceu ''
writer. He makes a monosyllable crdcAie; anu 'a''
night he llt genuine conf gratiOn OF WIZ HIS appear
ance ,5as made Redmond Idpe ana as ADoT az D"''
and he was called before the curtain Dy hoh'se dp'
,auso not Icss than five times-whch Is a tOIoId1'y
significant sign that he welcome ana VlctoIo"'
Rs,lsond Tape part here. IL was maze io Alr'
Clarke by Mr. H. j. Byron, and it runs IKE the hhgd
Yarn through n queer. feeble httle meIooriD"uc
sketch called "Red Tape" 1t Ia the h-ure VI
a Door lawyer who keeps up his good spirs
under dstresses and annoyances, ana ultiua'eS
succeeds - through accidentally discovering Iost
document and with confronting yillain-n DOING
a good deed and rightnG Crievous domesuc "rons
Red Tape" is made OF the shreds anu p1'cneo VI
many plays; but 1t can be said that MT. byron mas
handled old materials to get deal OF ACTON out
OF them and totally them from tedousHeo' l'
least with Mr. Clarke to animate the story ana mat
ia ACCOMPLISHING a tangible and clever result In dram
attic art The line OF thought In the piece IS hhuIeu
with that the same authors WIZ hnu
Gown"-traced in this journal but ht''o "h''o
oro and therefore familiar TO readers
- these words Tho second act contains
a strong situation in which the comedian ami tho
villain are opposed with much real dexerity. Mr.
Clarke IL this exhibited that vein OF tragic iorco WHICH,
cropping out amidst his luxuIiant comic eccentrlcy'
makes him q susprise well as delight. Ana thls
points to one important truth to his acng-is pro-
found and entire sincerity Mr. Cllrke5 gtolesquc ways
and studied method marked and uniqle that they
would smack OF mere caricature and buBoOneIy apart
from this element earnestness but animated Oy ths
they remain natural. Even his De Boots might be en-
countered in the germ, in actual lIfe and eremeber
that when he played T0odcS he made him sort OF rrI
pbIlosopher-in drink. Tne combination OF Hed IdPe
and De Boots last night made capital medium Tor the
display aud the suggestion of both aspects OF THIS sero
comic artist Both pieces were prettily set ana weh
cast and they "came trippnsly OIL" Pleasant ihcF
deuts heightened the genial effect. Mr. W. H. Sheridan
rcoppeared in this theater and Mr.. Charles Wacot anu
his wife made their first appearance here. Nj Sheri
dam, acting shows continual and Impressive growth
e was always careful and correct actor; his care ana
correctness are now animated by spontaneous emotion
which his intellect guide without showing tne
bride rein. lie gave, upon this oocason' sirhnSV
Truthful and powerful type OF austcrty unermlned by
rcuorsefu conscience. Charles Wacot has grown IN
thougnlulress graceful ease and In pquaDt hon
chaauce OF STYLE since last he acted here, aud MS pc
souation was delicatey conceived and neatly bnisbed
MFR Louis Morrison OF Francisco stage made MA
frat appearance at this thcater and made good Inn
preston by his aertness OF spirit and nmbe grace ln
execution. The versatile talents OF Mary Wells f0und
useful exercise and afforded pleasure to the house ana
helped tho symmetry Of the performance. Ms Whcot
in sort of Nanthe part created merrf
men and eyinced her positive apness In car.cature
The casts Of the two pieces are appended:
CAST OF
~ 4 8 Clarte