Charles Dillon
Encyclopedia
Charles J. Dillon was an English actor-manager
and tragedienne.
In 1840, he appeared at the City Theatre, London, as Hamlet
, giving a performance which attracted some critical attention. He toured extensively, to improve his reputation. Becoming actor-manager of the Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton in 1848, in partnership with comedian Henry Widdicombe. In 1856, at age 37, he returned to London, acting at Sadler's Wells
, his success was decisive. From "the Wells" he went to the Lyceum
, where he became manager on 29 September 1856, becoming manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
in 1857.
In 1860–61, he left England with his wife, Clara, for a tour around the world. They reached America
and on 18 April 1861, he appeared at the Winter Garden, as Belphégor. The War of the Rebellion
began at that time, affecting trade in the theatres. In 1863, Dillon was in California
. He performed for 100 consecutive nights at the Metropolitan Theatre, San Francisco, and was the recipient of much public favour. He then spent two years touring Australia
. In 1865, he returned to America and filled engagements throughout the country, reaching New York
in the spring of 1866. On 16 May he appeared at Niblo's Garden
, as Belphégor. His subsequent tours of American cities were managed by George Wood, but they were not successful, and the family returned to England, continuing to tour until his death.
in 1884.
The elder Dillon married Clara Conquest (1826–4 July 1888), daughter of Benjamin Oliver Conquest, manager of the Garrick
and Grecian Theatres, where her mother was ballet master. Her own stage career began at the Garrick, and she assumed leading juvenile roles at the Grecian. Together, they had one daughter, Clara, who married the actor Henry George.
Dillon died 27 June 1881 at Hawick
and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
, London. Mrs Dillion died 4 July 1888, in Portsmouth
.
Actor-manager
An actor-manager is a leading actor who sets up their own permanent theatrical company and manages the company's business and financial arrangements, sometimes taking over the management of a theatre, to perform plays of their own choice and in which they will usually star...
and tragedienne.
In 1840, he appeared at the City Theatre, London, as Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, giving a performance which attracted some critical attention. He toured extensively, to improve his reputation. Becoming actor-manager of the Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton in 1848, in partnership with comedian Henry Widdicombe. In 1856, at age 37, he returned to London, acting at Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
, his success was decisive. From "the Wells" he went to the Lyceum
Lyceum Theatre (London)
The Lyceum Theatre is a 2,000-seat West End theatre located in the City of Westminster, on Wellington Street, just off the Strand. There has been a theatre with this name in the locality since 1765, and the present site opened on 14 July 1834 to a design by Samuel Beazley. The building was unique...
, where he became manager on 29 September 1856, becoming manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
in 1857.
In 1860–61, he left England with his wife, Clara, for a tour around the world. They reached America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and on 18 April 1861, he appeared at the Winter Garden, as Belphégor. The War of the Rebellion
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began at that time, affecting trade in the theatres. In 1863, Dillon was in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He performed for 100 consecutive nights at the Metropolitan Theatre, San Francisco, and was the recipient of much public favour. He then spent two years touring Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 1865, he returned to America and filled engagements throughout the country, reaching New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the spring of 1866. On 16 May he appeared at Niblo's Garden
Niblo's Garden
Niblo's Garden was a New York theatre on Broadway, near Prince Street. It was established in 1823 as "Columbia Garden" which in 1828 gained the name of the Sans Souci and was later the property of the coffeehouse proprietor and caterer William Niblo. The large theatre that evolved in several...
, as Belphégor. His subsequent tours of American cities were managed by George Wood, but they were not successful, and the family returned to England, continuing to tour until his death.
Personal life
Dillon had two sons and a daughter – with a woman named Silver – they also entered the theatre. Charles Silver, who adopted the name Dillon, constructed and owned the Theatre Royal Stratford EastTheatre Royal Stratford East
The Theatre Royal Stratford East is a theatre in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, it has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company.-History:...
in 1884.
The elder Dillon married Clara Conquest (1826–4 July 1888), daughter of Benjamin Oliver Conquest, manager of the Garrick
Garrick Theatre
The Garrick Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Charing Cross Road, in the City of Westminster. It opened on 24 April 1889 with The Profligate, a play by Arthur Wing Pinero. In its early years, it appears to have specialised in the performance of melodrama, and today the theatre is a...
and Grecian Theatres, where her mother was ballet master. Her own stage career began at the Garrick, and she assumed leading juvenile roles at the Grecian. Together, they had one daughter, Clara, who married the actor Henry George.
Dillon died 27 June 1881 at Hawick
Hawick
Hawick is a town in the Scottish Borders of south east Scotland. It is south-west of Jedburgh and south-southeast of Selkirk. It is one of the farthest towns from the sea in Scotland, in the heart of Teviotdale, and the biggest town in the former county of Roxburghshire. Hawick's architecture is...
and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
, London. Mrs Dillion died 4 July 1888, in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
.