The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-20

Chapter About the Stage-Theatrical Fam
ies-Something About the Kembles-The
Old and New Park Theatres-The Actors
Of Past Generation.
New York, July &c, 1875.
The death of the late Charles Kembe
Mason recalls illusions to the dramatic
circle of which he was the last member.
Theatrical talent is often found to have
strong family character. The Booths, for
instance, have had tragedy in their ances-
try for several generations. 1t is also to
be remembered that there were two Keans,
father and son, both of whom were noted
tragedians. In the same manner there are
two Jeffersons now, and there was another
of the name among our old players. The
two referred to are Joe, the popular Rip
Van Winkle, and his son, who is good
player, though not equal to his father. The
Wallacks are another theatrical family,
and many similar instances might be men
toned.
THE GREAT DRAMATIC FAMILY.
The Kembles were the most distinguished
for histrionic gifts of any family on record
AS the death of Charles Kemble Mason
will lead the Bohemians of this city into many
inquiries concerning his distinguished rela-
tives, will assist them with brief state
ment. Roger Kemble was a British actor of
respectable standing, who died in 1902, aged
four score. He lived to see three of his
sons and two daughters appear upon the
stage, two of which reached great emf
nence. The daughters were Sarah and
Elizabeth. The latter became Mrs. Whit
lock, and was a very popular performer
She appeared in the John street theatre,
the first ever built in this city, and was
very much admired by Washington, who
then was president. Sarah became Mrs
Siddons, who, as a hdgedienne, has never
been equalled. Her husband was a re-
spectacle player, but the genius of his wife
kept him in an unbroken eclipse. Mrs
Siddons was noted for her majestic person,
and her mastery over Shakespeare's great
est characters. She commenced playing
in company with Garrck, who then was
about to retire, and continued until 1912,
when she withdrew, just as Kean and a
new generation of great performers were
winning fame. The brilliant critic, Will
liam Hazlett, said of Mrs. Siddons that ''she
appeared of superior order of beings,
and to be surrounded by personal awe
like some prophecies of old Washington
Irving, who saw her in her fiftieth year,
said, 'What a wonderful woman! She
froze and melted my heart by turns. A
glance of her eye or an exclamation thrilled
my whole frame. l can hardly breathe
while she is on the stage"
THE SONS.
Roger Kembe's three sons made their
mark on the stage, but the genius of the
eldest overshadowed the others, and thus
this has left but one Of the name on prom
inent record. In this manner Kemble and
Siddons stand AS a matches pair. Charles,
the youngest of the gifted trio of sons, was
not horn until his sister Sarah had reached
the highest distinction. lie became well
known as II comedian of more than respec-
table talent, and would have had prom
inence in the profession had it not been
for the grandeur of genius so near of name
and kin. Next comes George who was
some years older than the last mentioned,
and who was a good player until excessive
corpuencc drove him from the stage. He
was, however, successful manager, and
adhered to the profession through life.
THE CHIEF OF THE THREE.
This was John Phillip Kemble, whose
position in histronc fame has never been
rivalled on the British stage. 1t is mat
ter of peculiar note that out of Roger
Kemble's twelve children the oldest son
| and the oldest daughter should bear the
honors. John Phillip was Just eighteen
months younger than Mrs. Sd1ons. They
made their first appearance on the stage in
almost the same week. lie was nineteen
while his sister was nearly twenty-one.
! That year Garrick retired from the pro-
fession, and his mantle seemed to fall on
Kemble. He remained at the head of the
stage until his retirement in 1917, after an
unparalleled dramatic career of forty-one
years This was five years longer than
Garricks, whose professional career had
hitherto been of unequalled duration. KEN
ble's representation of Hamlet has ira
ditional majesty which probably has never
been attained except by Edwin Booth.
FANNY KEMBLE.
This gifted woman was the daughter of
the above mentioned Charles, and hence
was grandchld of the first hstrionist of
name. She made her debut in London in
1929, being then eighteen. This was tw o
years before the death of her aunt, Mrs.
| NluuOns, anu tue ltlltT, WIN was tHSh III
her seventy fourth year. was enabled to
see the talent of the family thus continued
in admirable perfection, Her success be-
fore the public was such as to entitle her
to the first rank in the performers of the
day. Three years subsequently she made
professional tour through the United
States accompanied by her father, who was
old and poor and needed her assistance.
She subsequently married the rich Pierce
Butler of Philadelphia, and retired from
the stage. The alliance was of an unhappy
character. 1t was severed by divorce
granted by the state of Pennsylvania, and
she resumed her family name. Since ther
she has won distinction as reader o.
Shakespeare. and was the first woman L
Introduce this entertainment 10 an Ameri
can audience.
THE LAST KEMRLE.
This was Adelaide, sister to the las
mentioned, and nine years younger. Sh'
became distinguished in opera, and woul,
have maintained first-class position ha'
she not retired early in life. This was oc
casioned by her marriage with Edward Sar
toris, an English gentleman of fortune
The name has been made familiar to Amer
lean ears by the union of the President
, daughter with one of the same lineage. |
is possible that the little Sartoris just Dor
at Long Branch may be great tragedian
but unless this takes place it will be man
years before another family of equal taler
will adorn the drama. may may ad
that John Phillip Kemble was from hi
swarthy countenance, Familiarity known !
the profession as "Black Jack" Irwin
saw the unusual spectacle of three Ken
bles on the stage at once at Covent gar
den. John was Othello, Mrs. Siddons wa
Desdemona, while Charles was Cassie