Charles Dillon (actor-manager)

Charles J. Dillon (1819 – 27 June 1881) 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.

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 East 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.

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