New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-28
AMERICAN ACTORS IN LONDON.

The famous American comedian John ). Clarke,
having lately arrived IN Philadelphia from London.
where ne has long been a resident has been
"lnteryiewed by The Philadelphia Times. and has
gwen the following account of our actors abroad:
In reply to All inquiry about his knsman Edwin
Booths recent visit to London he sald " He made
great impression among the better class OF theatre
goers aud is universally acknowledged to be the
most artistic actor America has ever sent to the
mother country His greatest successes were
Richelieu, Bertuccio and Idgo, and during the
production OF the plays in which he APP
peared in the g ~, named a9e Theatre was
doors Ten or twelve years ago 1T was next to i'm
possible for American actor to get an opening IN
proved a failure" "To what do you attribute the
change" asked listener. "Ob, many things; but
perhaps the leading reason is the large number Of
frst-cass theatres opened In London OF late years
and the necessity Of securing new attractions. Then
the people seem to take more kindly 10 American
actors than they did when | first went over The
Flerences made decided hit. but do not think
their engagement was as successful financially
as IL might have been. Haverly's Mastodon Min
the season, and although they opened in the Opera
House at cheap prices and at bad time and began
the engagement in the face of numerous managerial
prophecies of failure. they struck the lido of pubic
favor at the start and never lost it," How about
John T. Raymondp "Well, John was greatly
liked indeed, he became a strong iavorite but the
people didn't like the play and consequently his
engagement was not as successful as his many friends
wished.
'JOnn MCClllOUtH Dtplnb All cURdRcfptHj III lLVl-
don on Easter Monday, and every one there predicts
his success. | have not seen Mr. Mccullough act
since he played at the Arch Street Theatre. in this
tragedian of great merit 1t is pity, however. that
his engagement in London is confined TO four weeks
for he will hardly become knswp to tho theatre
poers in that brief time The engagement however,
cannot be extended, as tho attraction that is to
| follow him has already been announced He will
| in Julius Cesar While in gland last summer
Mr. Mccullough made hosts Of warm personal
friends who will give him hearty reception and do
all in their power to make his engagement successful
"I don't think there rs any possibility OF Henry
| Irving coming to this country for some time. lie
has prosperous theatre 10 look after, and although
he would no doubt prove paying star In America,
still he would risk great deal If he came here"
Speaking OF the number of new theatres in
London" said Mr.. Clarke. lone morning, some tlmo
ago. was aroused by an unusual rafting aud bang
| ing in tue halls of my lOdging-house, and these
sounds were diversified by shouts on the pavement
bslow. When asked the cause OF the NOISE was
| informed that the house was about to be trans
formed INTO theatre. L doubled the story at
first, but on going down stars the news was cor
rOborated and learned that the new edfce was be-
ing erected by DOyly Carte. THIS Of course. ne
cessitated hasty removal Of my goods and chates.
men beeau excavating. This has been very good
theatrical in London, ana nearly all the man
ayers made money: The Vokes family VIII return
10 this country before long and they are as clever
and popular as ever. The HanlOnLees are also very
popular. and i have no doubt will prove great
card in this country: They give a performance
much like the Once-famous Rave family. All,
Won should have seen Gabriel Rays He was the
greatest comedian ever knew. 1t wasn't ncces-
sary for him to speak in order to make an audience
laugh The Hanlon-Lees are very clever, but they
lack the finish of the Ravels. One scene IN rail-
road car is very good. The car u set SIDEWAYS,
and as the wheels revolve during the net the onect
is good. ,,- n. ..o.,5. ,,,.,,
ing In London next summer or not. lie has piayeu
in 1iivsrnool and created very favorable impress
s,on there have not him, but understand
that he is careful scholarly and excellent actor,
and one that think would make hit In London:
They saw .Yorick,s Love- Is an admirable work.
didn't see 'Olivette' in London, but 1t has had a
long run and seems to please. Billee Taylor, an
other highly successful comic opera. has drawn
large and fashionable audiences for many weeks in
London. and from what heard of It think It's pro-
ducton here will meet with public favor"