The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-04
ADJUSTMENTS.


Robert Downing and supporting COM
pany deserve the warmest reception a
Memphis audience can possibly give them.
They open at the Memphis theater tonight
in "Spartacus, the Gladiator" When the
eyes Of the whole country were upon Mem
phis; when reports were even floating
around that 1t was not safe to come within
its limits; when quarantine was, in fact, of
such a character that IL would have been
impracticabe to come, Mr.. Downing and
his company never faltered in their faith
in or desire TO appear before Memphis
audience. Upon a plain statement OF the
case. and n suggestion from Manager Gray
at the hight OF the uncertainty. the orlgi-
nal contract was Cancelled. There was
never any intention to give this city the
go.by, and Just SO soon as conditions were
brought about making their appearance
here possible, Mr.. Downing's agent, UNI
der instructions, re-entered the list OF at
fractions, the engagement to begin TO-
night
Manager Gray has not been idle during
the summer, nor did nc content himself
with merely booking fine array Of attrac.
tons for the season auspciously opened
tonight. Workmen of the most skilled
character have been engaged, and the re-
suit Of their sklliul operations will be
clearly apparent under the soft but etful-
gent rays from innumerable gus and cleo
tric lights. New and handsome car
pets have been placed over those por-
tons OF the stage and floor usu-
ally 30 covered, the boxes have been
deliberately trimmed and curtained, the
floors rcpainted, and all the decorations re-
touched. Everything calculated to make
the cory theater bright inviting and
pleasing to the eye continually while with
in It's walls has been attended to with
scrupulous care and no spirit OF stinginess
when the financial outlay was considered.
Manager Gray anticipated n successful
| season throughout, and did what enter
prisiug public spirited men always do,
guarded against the possibility of the
charge from patrons, 1--WE are not getting
the worth Of our money"
Robert Downing is coming TO Memphis
with all the paraphernalia and support
| which made his engagement ut the stan
| theaicr, New York, an ovation. No cut
has been made, no detail will be omitted.
| lie used his own gorgeous but appropriate
! SCENERY at the Star-thc same will be
used here. lie had in his east at the Siai
Misses Eugene Blair and Helen Tracey
Mcssrs. Harry Meredith, Charles Herman
and other iayorite artists. The same
| viii appear here. Emincnly popular
| Us the star is, he is not the entire enter
tninmont, nor docs he desire to be. The
whole combination counts largely, is cs
sentinl and appreciated; hence the MOTIF
Is, GIVE our audiences n sterling produc
ton; let those who carry leading roles see
TO II that they keep up with the process
sion" This line Of action and conduct hai
brought 10 Mr.. Downing and his compan!
the warBcst commentator from critic
wherever they have appeared. Well.worde,
eulogics upon the production began il
New York, following with unerring rcgu
lari,y in city after city. In thus present
ing Mr. Downing TO the Memphis publ,
as far in advance OF his rank last season
THE ApPEAL has not been led into il
position OF confidence by advance notices
which almost any one can secure at 20
cents-n.hnc rates. IL has considered onl,
the criticisms which followed. verdicts o
competent persons who cannot be bought
This IL only fair sample, taken from
Tic AdhrWc imTicaE OF Tuesday and i'm
mcdaicly succeeding a critical sounding
81 lhe real character OF Spariacus pitch
: ing his conception from this, he grope,
out Of darkness and reached into tn
light oi intellectual possibilities, aud sue
ccs@tuliy awaited criticism from tliis seri
Gus point 81 view.
All through last nights really artist
| f.fl f..a. II fl.t. Ia
dramatic plot the young actor gave
gratifying evidence that he has snl
sliiutod Spafiicus' nature for hi
have given way 10 carncstness of inten
ton; The common Gladiator 10 the person
alily Of the lofty Thracian. The manne
Of his reaching the several clmaxes OF III
part was scholarly, intelligent aud master
iul. The noble heart OF the outlaw. whctl
cr In tho bloody arena or as the general q
an army. with his vito and chilli clingin
about him, with the captive Julia plcadin
Tor life aud liberty, or finally when defeated
stricken and craEcd with am accumulate
OF sorrow. the oycrburdcncd soul give
way and finds relief in death, Is alway
clearly before the audience. This sell
repression is maniicstly the supreme thin
IN Downing's mind aud II becomes neccs
ssry 10 judge him 10y this higher s,andar
and giyc him placa M one OF the brighto,
and most conspicuous traecdians W. hay
In the line OF robust tragedy"
The advance salo OF seats for Mr.. Dowr
ing's engagement has been good. and no
that business has thoroughly revived. mel
yousncis vanished, and everybody fee
like mixing la with their daily business
healthy aud improving vein OF plcasur'
crowded houses are ASSURED. such NJ
Downing deserves, such It should be an
such IL will be.