Wichita eagle., 1888-05-25

ADJUSTMENTS
ROBERT DOWNING.

-
The production of Viginius last night by
| Robert Downing and his excellent COM
pany was of the same high order as Sparti-
Gus on the preceding night. There was
| the same appreciative audience and the
| reception gwen Virginius was as warm
| and hearty as that accorded to the Glad
iator.' Mr.. Downing has made many
| friends and admirers in Wichita who will
be ever ready to greet him upon his reap
pearance.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Downing, who
is by the wayra very pleasant gentleman
| socially, in a conversation at the Carey re
! marked upon the wonderful growth and
development of this city since he was here
four years ago. Il played then in a kind
,, of hail." he said, land was somewhat
surprised upon my arrival this time to
| find such magnificent opera house as
Wichita now has. My audience last night
was very appreciative and, so to say. met
me half way. certainly can not but ad
! mire this beautiful, handsome city that
| has sprung up like magic here on the
prairie and / feel that when I return
which l hope to do before long, that
shall find Wichita very much larger than
now"
A sketch Of Mr.. Downing's career would
not, perhaps, be out of place. He was born
in Washington, where his father was
government contractor. At an early age
he felt an inclination towards the boards.
and at IS was found with the stock con.
panv a. John T. Ford's theatre, Baltimor
AT 10 he was engaged by Chas. Fechter
leading man and supported that star e
! an extended tour through the south. Afte
his engagement with Fechter he was 81
cured by Edwin Booth, as leading man
and afterwards acted in the same capacity
with Charlotte Cushman and other star
of like calibre. His greatest reputation.
however, as legitimate actor previous t.
his starring as Spartacus, was made while
| leading man with the divine Mary Ander
son, whom he supported for three consecu-
tive seasons When Miss Anderson went
| to England Downing was to have accom-
panied her, but feeling that he had not
given sufficient attention TO comedy, and
being possessed of wonderful versatility
he accepted very flattering offer from
Joseph jefferson and remained with that
prince of comedians for two years.
After the death of Mccullough Manager
Mack purchased the tragedy OF "The Glad
iator'' from the ACTORS estate. Mr.. Mack
saw in this vigorous drama play which
if properly produced. would prove particu-
iariy pleasinoto the theater-goers of today
He secured Robt Downing as the only
actor possessing the requisite qua lifications
for the character, and the excellence of his
Judgment has been conclusively proven by
the happy reception both star and play
have since achieved. A pleasing feature
in connection with Mr.. Downing's career
was the success he won during bis engage
ment at the star Theater. New York. and
that too after following such stars a.
Edwin Booth, Henry Irving. Wilson Bar
rett and Sarah Bernhard, when he played
one Of the most brilliant engagements Of
the season.
1t is seldom that the bond Of friendship
is seen TO exis5so strongly between actor
and manager fas it does between Mr.
Downing and Mr. Mack Both gentle
men are exceedingly fond Of outdoor
sports and exercises. The former lives
during his summer vacation at his fine
farm on the beautiful Pawtuxeut river,
below Washington. An ample boathouse
filed with shells gives the tragedian and
his manager the best opportunity to In
dulge in this kind Of athletic sport, and rs
the former is a member OF the Columbia
crew. it IS an exercise in which he l.
thoroughly proficient. Mr.. Mack is also
the owner of a fine farm in the Beaver
Hills, in eastern Ohio. near where are
situated the famous Killbrick kennels Of
which he is also proprietor. and where are
TO be found some Of the finest blooded
hunting dogs in the country.
Mr. Downing's present season opened AZ
she Grand Opera House. New York, where
be played a remarkably successful en-
gagement which has since Continued
everywhere.
The company leaves for Colorado and
after a short stay there viii return = Car
cago where they close the season "a June.
santa Re RoEte.
Colorado and Utah excursion rates, com
nencing April lst le55 and continuing
sale until Septernoe aJtn, iS5o. unless 9Th
ery-ise advised. the Atchison, topeka &,
Santa lie railroads vii sell tickets 10 the
following summer resorts w. Denver.
Colorado springs. Pueblo and Trinidad for
81 round trip. Salt Lake and Ogden e4S %
round trip, tickets good for three month.
from date Of sale with a limit OF thirty
DAYS going and returning with ssor,-yyer
privileges. The Santa Re Is the only liz.
having morning and Eignt trains TO thsss
points, also the only stone ballast line L.
tween Wichita and Denver It's bridges
are all iron and stone. making II re
Eyya hest. safest and