Kansas City daily journal., 1896-11-16
mestic drama and has been identified with

mesdc drama and has been identified with
| comedy.
He was born in Long Acre. London. in
1915. Thomas Couldock, his father. was a
compositor and died when Charles was but
years old. The grandmother had taken
a great fancy to the child and took charge
of him until he was Il years old.
One night he stayed away from school
and went to see Macready act. That
| night was the turning point in his career.
He decided that he would be an actor at
all hazards. But the boy loved his grand
mother very dearly, and the old lady had a
holy horror of the stage. She died on the
day that her grandson celebrated his 2lst
! birthday. Meanwhile young COuldOck had
gained some experience in appearing be-
fore an audience by occasionally SpOuting
before two or three hundred persons in
connection with an elocution class at the
Aldersgate institute.
First Professional Appearance.
He heard of a benefit that was to be
given to Mr.. Button at Sadler Wells
theater, which was then under the man
agement of William Oxberry. After screw
ing his histrionic courage to the sticking
point, he went to beard Oxberry in his
managerial den.
The manager told the ambitious youth
that he would be allowed TO perpetrate the
title role in "Othello" If he could dispose
of tickets to the amount of $50. Couldock
made an energetic and successful ticket
canvass. On the day Of the performance
Sadler Wells was filled with the represen-
tatives of the silk trade. Every time that
Othello had line to utter there would
be a great outburst OF applause. Finally
one auditor could contain himself no long
err and looking around in utter wonder
ment, exclaimed in a voice that could be
heard all over the house:
"S'help me, I don't see it,
In relating this reminiscence OF his
theatrical debut Mr.. Couldock always
laughs heartily. as he adds: Poor fell
low. OF course he couldn't. It wasn't
there The enthusiasm was purely COM
plimentary."
After some time he secured an engage
ment to join Rogers Strolling Players
at Farnham. in Surrey. His salary was
nominally los a week, but all he received
was few shillihgs now and then. The
company played in barns and small halls
to be sure. but their repertoire comprised
all the standard old comedies and
tragedies.
In the United States.
CcuIdock made his American debut at
the old Broadway theater on October s,
1s49. under the management of f. \. Mar
shall. on this occasion he played the title
role in THE Stranger" supporting Miss
Cushman, who appeared as Mrs. Haller.
After acting for month in New York
he appeared with Miss Cushman in Phila-
delphia, Boston New Orleans and other
cities. On their return to New York he
supported her during her engagement at
the Astor Place theater after which Miss
Cushman returned to England. Mr..
Couldock had made up his mind by this
time that he should like TO remain in
America and sent for his family. The
following season he secured an engage
ment as leading man with Marshall for the
latters Walnut Street theater, in PhiIa-
delphia, and opened there in 1850 as Jacques
in "As You Like It." He remained in
Philadelphia four seasons. During his Sec
onG season Nine. Celeste played an en-
gaGement there in her play. THE Willow
CopSe." CouIdock had often played with
Celeste in the old country. She predicted
that the part of Luke Fielding would suit
him exactly. At the end of the perform
aTce there was a great call. and he led
Nine. Celeste in front of the curtain. but
instead of acknowledging the applause
herself she presented Couldock 10 the
audience. Afterward she told him in the
wings that The Willow CCpSe'' ought to
belong to him and gave him permission to
copy the manuscript. That's how the PLAY
came into his possession. At the end OF
the Walnut Street season he played in
The Willow Copse'' as star. filling sue
cessfuI engagements both in New York ana
Albany.
Starring.
During the season of 1s5l-1S52 Manager
Foster. OF the PittsburG theater. invited
him to 20 to Pittsburs. as Gustavus Brooke
mad been taken i'll and could not fill his en-
gagement, and he opened at Pittsburg as
Richelieu. The second night he appeared
as Sir Giles Overreach. The Willow
Copse" was put on for the third night and
ran to crowded houses for the rest Of the
week This determined Couldock to go
starring at the first opportunity. but it was
two years before he could sever his con-
nections with stock companies. He then
inaugurated his starring venture, with