The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-21
CLARKE TO RETURN.
Celebrated Comedian TO Make z
Tour of This Country.
Sketch OF Famous Acior--Hc Retired IS
Years Ago.


well tour OF tho largest cities Of the United
States and Canada by John Sleeper Clarke,
tho famous American comedian, who re-
tired from the stage at the height OF TO
markablc career about ID years ago. DAN
iel Frohman and Crcsten H9rke, tho PROM
ising young tragcdian hid son Of the
veteran actor, arc Interested ~ the lnan-
agement of tho notable revival.
When soen recently, the younger Clarke
said he had had considerable correspond
encc with his father, Ia which the once
most popular OF American comedians OK
pressed a desire TO give numptuous ro-
viyal of his fayorito Interpretation Of DIR.
Pangloss in "Thc Heir at Law" In Amer
tca.
Although SO years of age, the actor man.
aeer who originated ''long runs, "is claim
ed, like Joo jefferson, not 20 be In the least
inflrm or weak in intonation, and his re-
turn will DC most important theatrical
event.
MIR Clarke Ia now In England, whse he
hns spent the past IS years of his life In
retiremont Hc had accumulated large
fortune at the time he left the stage, and
his home is prinoely mansion at Sur
biton-on-the-T Thames, near the famous old
GarTick villa.
At ono tirpo Mr.. Clarke was che most
prominent character In the American
dramatic world. He managed the leading
theaters Of Now York, Boston and Phila-
dolphia, the thrcc most important cities of
tho day, and was for many years the busi'
nees partner of Edwin Booth.
John Sleeper Clarke was born In Balti-
more Sept 0, 1888, of English parents.
His father died whom he was 8 years old,
and his mother placed his education in the
hands Of apedagogue named Kearnoy, who
was also Edwin Booths tutor, and who
encouraged his pupils In their Juvenile at
tenpts at dramatic representation.
Clerke's first public appearance was In
conjunction with Edwin Booth at an enter
tainmcnt arranged by Booth at Belair. Md.
Tho performance consisted of Shakes
pearean readings and was given at the Bel
air courthouse Aug. 2, 1850.
Toploase his mother, Clarke studied law
In the Office of Elisha B. Sprague Of Balti
more, but his heart and soul were with the
stage, and in 1851 he exchanged Themis
for Thespis. He made his professional
debut at the Boston Howard Atheneum
as Frank Hardy in "Paul Pry"
His first regular engagement, however,
was at the old Chestnut Street theater,
Soto In Cibber's comedy "Shc Would and
She Would Not" Aug. 20, 1869, and later
In the same season succeeded John Drew
(the elder), the leading comedian of that
famous organization, only rivaled In Amer
ica at that time by the Wallack stock COM
pany In New York. Clarke was only 90
and had but few years experience. This
Is probably the most extraordinary and
brilliant promotion known In theatrical
history
Mr.. Clarke left Philadelphia In 1854, re-
turning home to Baltimore, where he nc
cepted tho posi zion Of leading low comedian
OF the Front Street theater. He returned
to Philadelphia as leading comedian Of the
Arch Street theater In August, 1865, and
remained until June, 1868, occasionally
starring through the south. He assumed
the management of the Arch Street the
ater In conjunction with William Wheatlcy
In June, 1858.
1t was In 1859 that he sealed the pleasant
relations that existed between the Clarke
and Booth families by his marriage with
Asia Booth, the immortal tragedian's sis
ter. He retired from the management Of
the Arch Street theatcr in 1851 to take an
important step-his debut in the Ameri-
can metropolis. This took place ut the
New York Thcater and Metropolitan Opera
House on May 10 of the same year. The
part selected for the crucial test was that
of Diggory In "Thc Specter Bridegroom.
His reception was a complete triumph.
Criticising his performance of Diggory,
Mr.. George William Curtis published the
following in Harper's Weekly over his own
signature, II consider Mr.. Clarke by far
the finest artist that has been seen on our
boards since Rachel" =" and the records of
Theatrical Historian Ireland relate that
"ho was not merely n success but revela-
tion" on tnat occasion.
Clarke early conceived a craving to ap-
pear ia tho British metropolis, and his de-
sire was now gratified. Ho went abroad
early In 1867 and nnade his bow before
London audiences at tho st. James theator
as Major Wellington dc Boots In Every
bodys Friend" His reception was rs en-
thpslastic as that upon his debut In New
York an instantaneous triumph. No
American comedian has over rocoivcd like
reception in England lie won tho nd
mration of Charles Dickens, who only
voiced the opinion of thousands Of English
mon when no remarked that Clarke was
"thc most skillful interpreter Of low COM
edy roles he had ever seen. Ho Ind not
intended to remain and had his family
with him ION pleasure bent, but in the
face of such q welcome it would have been
folly not 10 reap tho harvest of his i'm
mediate popularity, and so nc remained In
England. releasing himself from all his
American interests, with the exception OF
the ownership of the Walnut Street the
ater in Philadelphia.
From tho Princess thcater Clarke went
10 the Strand, where he first appeared as
Salon Scudder In Tho Octoroon" In
1SGS, adding another triumph 10 his CO.
rccr 1t Is worthy Of special note TINT nj
though DR.. pnnglcss-thc character which
hc Is to rcvlvo Tor his American farewell
was then, cs we'll as now, his favorite In
torpretation, his most distinguished success
in London was achieved through his orig
inal conception OF Toodles, which held the
boardsat tho Strand for over 200 nights
when first produced.
Clarke rcapDcarcd In America et Now
York on April ~, 1870. Ills engagements
In tho metropolis was limited to &c nights,
and he played - tho phenomenal receipts
r.. q Of