Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-28
English and American pearil
Theatrical Audiences. n p y -

Theatrical Audiences. Tame"
accompanied by Among the Break
ers" and "Toodles," which was one Of
his most famous characters, as well
as in his famous role of Maj. Well
! ington De Boots, in The Widow
Hunt" In The Star of Deem
Der 26, 1874, is printed an interview
| with Mr.. Clarke, as follows:
| A Star representative yesterday
paid a visit to the celebrated come
dian, Mr.. John S. Clarke, who has re-
Gently returned to America, his native
| home, and who has met with such ex
| traordinary success among our Eng
| lish cousins, and had an interesting
| interview with him in relation to the
comparative natures of English and
American audiences, and the com
| parative profits of the theaters of the
two countries. Mr.. Clarke received
our representative with great courtesy
and at once entered into the spirit of
his inquiries. He was asked:
| Have you ever noticed any great
difference in the character of the
| audiences in England and in this
country"
"Oh, yes; there is a curious differ
ence in this respect. The Americans,
| though they go to the theater in an
| off-handed way, without having given
the matter much previous considera-
| ton and without thinking it neces
| sary to go in full dress, are really
| more attentive than the English. The
English decide upon going some two
| or three days beforehand, and give
| the matter of theater-going the same
! Importance as they would a formal
| invitation to dining out. They come
in full dress; they get in some time
| before the performance commences,
i q n q n n he
promenade and refreshment saloon
| than they do to seeing the play. 1t
| has not been very long since it was
| common to have coffee and other re-
| freshments passed around among the
audience. Now. the refreshments are
kept in the front part of the theater."
rs there not a lack of enthusiasm
! among English audiences?"
| 1T is a great mistake to suppose
| this, and / believe that most of our
people think that English audiences
are cold. They are slow to take to
an artist, but with their favorite they
are very enthusiastic. With all the
kind things that have been said of
me in this country, and the wide
| reputation that has preceded me, 1
had a struggle to establish myself,
but after I had succeeded / found as
many warm friends as | have at home.
| They are people who do not take
other peoples opinions, they must see
| for themselves"
How have you been pleased with
your reception in this country on
| your return?"
| II have been delighted with my re-
| ception, and much struck with the
| rapid progress everywhere apparent.
| Washington especially has improved
almost beyond recognition. 1t is now
one of the most beautifully laid out
| cities in the world. / have been es-
pecially f1attered here because during
| this week of my engagement 1 have
been more successful than in almost
any Christmas week in my experience.
| You know, Christmas week is a hard
zone for theatrical men and a real
| financial success Is rare during that
| season, as people generally find more
| room for enjoyment at their happy
| fresides than at theaters."
How are the profits of American
theaters as compared with English
theaterS?'
"They are decidedly better It is
very rare that you would find such
| profitable engagements upon the Eng
| lish dramatic records as are afforded
| in New York, Philadelphia and in
the Western cities of America"
| Can you give me some figures in
relation to your own engagements?
| We'll, yes; though we don't like TO
speak very freely upon this, espe-
cially when we can report great sue
cesses, as it would SAVIOR a little of
egotism. In London, I revived Col
| mans comedy of The Heir-at-Law,'
and had a run of Isl consecutive
nights, at the Strand Theater. and also
| The Poor Gentleman which had
| run of 60 nights at the same place.
This was the first of the recent re-
vivals of legitimate old comedy, and
| these were the longest runs on record
lup to that time. / subsequently
| played Bob Acres at my own London
Theater. the Charing Cross, for l27
nights in succession, and again re-
| yiyed The Heir at-Law' at the Hay
market for so nights. My share for
! this last engagement was 100000,
which is an extraordinary amount for
q star during a London engagement,
At Walnut Street Theater in Phila-
| delphia my profits during IL nights in
last November amounted to over
$1,000. I have every reason to be
grateful to the people of England
for their generosity. and I am proud
| to have proven that they are not so
Jealous Of foreign artists as has been
lasserted. 1 could not have been more