Clairon, Mlle (1723–1802)
Clairon, Mlle (1723–1802)
French actress. Name variations: La Clairon; Claire Hippolyte Clairon. Born Claire Hippolyte Josèphe Légris de Latude near Condé, in Hainault, France, in 1723; died in Paris, France, on January 18, 1802 (some sources cite 1803).
Commonly known as La Clairon, Mlle Clairon made her first appearance in 1743 at the Comédie Français, Paris, as Phêdre. A triumph, she remained at the Comédie for 22 years, dividing the honors with her rival Marie Dumesnil . Some of Clairon's greatest achievements were in the classical roles of tragedy, including Medea, and she originated many of the parts in Voltaire's plays. She is also remembered as an innovator who endeavored to bring about a more sensible style of costuming than was then conventional on the stage, as well as a natural style. In 1765, she retired and trained dramatic pupils. In her old age, Clairon wrote a book of memoirs, published in Paris in 1799, which offers
many details concerning her art and is known for its lively anecdotes.
Mlle Clairon was of small stature and noted for a beauty at once vivacious and dignified; she was also gifted with a remarkable voice. Oliver Goldsmith claimed that she had "the most perfect female figure" he had ever seen on any stage, and David Garrick noted, "She has everything that art and a good understanding with great natural spirit can give her." She died, poor and forgotten, in the winter of 1802.