Harry Paulo
Born
Thomas Henry Chandler

1846
Marylebone, England
Died1932
London, England
Years active1870-1932
Known forMusic Hall performer
Spouse(s)Adelaide Gertrude Britland, Emma Cox

Thomas Henry Chandler (1847–1932), was born in Marylebone, London. He was a Music Hall entertainer famous for performing as Harry Paulo the clown.

Career

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Paulo rose to fame in the 1870s, starring in London performances such as "This is the House that Jack built; or, Harlequin Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been? The Little Wee Dog and the Good Child’s History of England" at the Prince Alfred, "The Adventures of Sir Job" at the Cremorne Gardens, and "Little Boy Blue" at the Marylebone Theatre. One of his early successes was playing a herald that could only read proclamations backwards![1] He was a regular on the stage in comedic roles[2] and as early as 1881was called a 'celebrated clown' by the London Weekly Dispatch newspaper.

 
Streatham Cemetery Artistes Memorial, which commemorates Harry Paulo and other well known performers.

In the 1890s' he revived the clown Grimaldi's famous song "Hot Codlins" for Music Hall audiences, 'evoked roars of laughter' performing as Granny in Little Red Riding Hood,[3] and often starred in harlequinades.[4] He toured across Europe and the British Isles until his death.

In 1924 he attended a gathering of ‘the Aristocracy of the Harlequinade’.[5] In 1931 he was described by the Era newspaper as ‘second to none in wielding the red-hot poker in his day. At eighty-four he is the oldest of the living clowns though the halest and heartiest of his contemporaries’.

He died in 1932[6] and is commemorated on the Streatham Cemetery Artistes Memorial in London.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Reviews of the Pantomimes". The Era. 3 February 1878. p. 7. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  2. ^ The Illustrated sporting & dramatic news. 1 July 1876. p. 230. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Red Riding Hood at Sydenham". The Era. 18 June 1892. p. 7. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  4. ^ "London and Provincial Concerts". Hour (London). 4 July 1879. p. 2. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  5. ^ Haddon, Archibald (1935). The Story of the Music Hall: From Cave of Harmony to Cabaret. Fleetway Press, Limited.
  6. ^ "Deaths Jun 1932". www.freebmd.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  7. ^ "Streatham Park Cemetery, Rowan Road: Variety Artistes Memorial". London Picture Archive. Retrieved 15 September 2024.

Category:Music hall performers Category:Clowns