San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-01-18
A RARE TREAT.
The Mantle of Booth Already on
Creston Clarke's Shoulders.


The character of Hamlet in Shakes
peare's great tragedy of that name, Is
one of the most difficult, even in the
successful tragedian's repertoire, and
for a young actor to essay 1T, after
being upon the boards star for less
than two years, would be thought
rather hazardous, to say the least.
Mr.. Creston Clarke, the son of the
great comedian, J. S. Clarke, and
nephew of Edwin Booth, has this play
ia his repertoire, together with many
others quite as difficult, and last night
he present ted it at the Grand to a me-
dunn sized audience who came merely
out of curiosity and because his photo
graphs seen in the windows looked
like Booth. There is strong family
resemblance between the two men,
and in height, meditation of finely
sonorous and pleasing voice, and the
rendition of the part of the "Melan-
choly Dane,n the elder and the
younger actor are the same, or so very
nearly that Mr.. Booths presence was
wildly recalled to the auditor.
Mr.. Clarke's youth eminently fits him
for the part and his reading of the
lines is very thorough and nearly
correct, he having his own ideas OF
the rendering of some parts, that has
never been seen before. In the soliloquy
on the actor, "and what is Hectobar
to him." etc., his voice was not given
the proper strength or infection, but
he brought.himself up to the climax of
this act very nicely and as in act L, re-
ceived calls to appear before the cur
tain.
In Hamlet's famous soliloquy, '"To
be or not to be-" his.too rapid enuncia-
ton of part of il rather marred its
effect. In the scene with his mother
when he urges her to lead different
life, etc., he was magnificent and
went ahead of his illustrious uncle in
the natural, youthful manner of
speech and poise. Mr.. Clarke is a
rising young actor; there is stuff in
him and if he makes as great an inn
provement in the next twenty-siX
years as in the last twenty-six years
of his life he will far Guido the accom-
plishments of he to whom he is so
often compared, his uncle. His con-
ception of Hamlet and the other plays
of his repertoire are drawn greatly
from the best models, but also to a
great extent are original. He is nat
ural, manly and vigorous.
The support of Mr.. Clarke is also
good. A better king than is usual
was Mr.. z. L. Snader, and the queen
of Mrs. Augusta Foster was also bet
ter than is usually seen for the part.
The "Ophelia" of Miss Victory Bate
man was a rare piece of acting, par
ticularly in the "mad scene" Of the
fourth act, and her singing and acting
was so natural that tears came to the
eye of many of the tender hearted OF
the audience.
Mr.. Russ Whytal, as "Laertes, " was
quite natural, and in the fencing eXhi-
bition with Hamlet before the court a
finished piece of work was given that
made the lover of this manly sport
Jingle with pleasure. The old grave
digger, Mr.. Wilfred Clarke, was also
as fine piece of art as we have ever
seen and greatly pleased the audi
ence, which in fact was pleased with
the play throughout, and were agree
ably surprised In finding in Mr.. Cres-
ton Clarke not the raw boy they ex-
pected but finished, polished actor,
who is capable of winning fame wher-
ever he may go.
Tonight the company appears in
The FOOLS Revenge" with Mr..
Clarke as "Bertuccio." Tomorrow
afternoon, for matinee, "The Lady OF
Lyons" will be given.
H. Klockenkemper celebrates to.
day his birthday and the twenty-third
anniversary of his marriage. Now
that divorce proceedings are in court
his retrospect is sad one.
The wedding of Lieut.. Albert
Todd. of the U. s. artillery, and Miss
Pettes, occurred at the residence Of
= n. l..