 Though it regained a portion of its vogue under the direction of a very clever American actor, John S. Clarke, it was no longer one of the attractions of the London theatrical world.The musical comedy "A Chinese Honeymoon" opened in October 1901 and ran at the theatre for a record breaking 1,075 performances, until closing in 1904.In the 16th century, Strand had hosted many grand houses by the River Thames and the area began to be built up.