Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-01

How Robert Downing Happened to Becom
an Actor and How He Has Worked.

How Robert Downing Happened to Become
an Actor and How He Has Worked.
HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE MADE IN
THIS HIS NATIVE cITY-A STOCK ACTOR WITH
FOURTEEN CHANCES OF BILL IN A wEEK-HIs
GRADUAL RISE IN THE PROFESSION.
ssHOW DID BECOME AN ACTOR?
IL Well, I'll tell you"
Ihe speaker was Robert Downing and the
words we're in response to q question by STAR
reporter, who called upon the tragedian at his
country home, Edgemore, near Benning Mr.
Downing is a native OF Washington and was
educated in the public schools of this city. He
isnot yet thirty-four years of age and he has
already been stellar attraction since 1856
mat he has been successful financially as we'll
as artistically is evident from the fact that he
has purchased a beautiful farm of 100 acres
where he spends his vacations, and has called
1t Edgemore. The house is large and roomy,
and is furnished with everything that comfort
requires and good taste suggest. Here he
Is now perfecting his business arrangements for
MS next season, studying new parts and pre-
pairing costumes and properties. Here, too he
and his wife, who is known in the profession as
MISS Eugenla Blair and whose ability as an
actress Is well recognized. dispense liberal hos
pltaiity to their friends during their rest FROM
their stage labors
After left school at the age of seventeen"
MT. Downing continued. Il found had good
voice for singing, and took part in u number
or amateur performances. One day l was
asked to play a speaking part in an amateur
cioo. dld It, and somehow l made all impress
SION on an old actor who had retired and was
teaching elocuton in this city. He advised me
70 take up the stage as a profession and he was
somewhat enthusiastic III the matter thought
the matter over and after time went to
John L. Ford, then managing the National
lheater. ana he gave me my first chance to
play small part. l started at the bottom of
the ladder. determined to work my way up.
used to stand al the wings and study the per-
formers. | said to myself: Why do thew do
that! Why should they 60 about in that
way!' and then studied it out Mr. Ford had a
stock company, and an excellent one it was
gradually rose, for was II hard worker. In the
good old days we were obliged to buy our wigs,
costumes, &c, and the bill was changed nightly.
remember playing a two weeks engagement
with one of the tragedians ami the program
was changed fourteen times. There was an
Immense amount of work for me, but as have
naturally quick study memorized NV parts
without difficulty Mr. Ford praised my ability
and had excellent opportunities OF playing
with all the prominent stars"
VALUABLE EXPERIENCE.
"You have found that experience very valua-
BILE to you since, have you not?''
Il made it so because was constantly study
ing the methods of the stars who came to the
National to play. During the third year of my
engagement Julius Cesar was to be pro-
duced, but the actor who was to appear as
Brltus fell ill, and it was suggested that un
dertake the part. l hesitated at first, for
although l had studied the tragedy and could
memorize rapidly, still feared might allow
my my ysulting ambition to overleap itself. But
Mr.. Frank Bangs, who was the Marc Antony
was very kind to me, so was Thomas W. Keene,
who was the Cdsslus, and determined to try
did. The tragedy ran for twelve weeks and
the public declared that 1 was a success.
was under Mr.. Ford's management for four
years making my way from general utility to
leading business
"And after that?'
Il Travelled with Miss Mary Anderson for
three years, acting all the leading parts When
she went to England IT was arranged that l
should go with her. but could not harmonic
with the erratic DR.. Griffin, who was at odds |
with everybody. l then Joined jefferson and |
remained with him two years, which was val |
liable experience for me, as by playing with |
MIN IN the Old comedies | acquired the light
ness OF manner that lacked. l played Cap |
tain Absotate in The Rivals and John Pe17y-
6tnJte in Cricket on the Hearth. Mr. Jeffer- |
son gave me much valuable advice and lie has !
always been one of my best friends. He once /
said to me: When you come down the stage, /
as we say, or when you cross the stage,
first find out the reason why you do |
II, and II you cannot give good reason-don't |
do It, This is only one instance Of his advice, |
but 1t illustrates the care with which he per- |
forms all his work. think that have always |
protted by his Methods
FIRST ATTEMPT AT STARRING.
when did you make yodr frs. appearance /
as star?'
During the summer Of 1885, when en-
gagged Jefferson's company (their season with |
him being over to support me in Tally Ho.' |
a very pretty play by Joaquin Miller, tastefully |
written, but hardly strong enough for me.
Then produced version Of French drama,
adapted by George Hoey, entitled .vautoug, the |
Exile but it failed and lost So, 600 by it,
What was then your next move?''
Through the advice Of my friends, who said
should not be wasting my time, but should be
In the legitimate, began with 'Srartacus, the
Gladiator and was very successful
"Dld you not at first have some misgivings as
to your success in SpartacusY
Il readily confess did. l had an uphill road
in the Gladiator There was Forrest, then
and came as the third man; and
people would make comparisons. l went to
Philadelphia, the home Of Forrest and McCul-
Tough. had no easy time with the old fell
lows. They had seen the great Edwin and
would say to me: 1 can remember Mr.. Forrest
as though l had seen him but yesterday. l
oon want TO see you attempt 1t. Mr. Down
ing. you can't 40 it, sir; you can't do it. l
would beg them to come and see me, end some
OF them came and criticised me in grand way
l rather liked the old fellows. They would tell
me that Mr. Forrest dressed Spartacus as a
gladiator in the first part, and that my concep-
ton OF the dressing was all wrong. Now, his,
torically, there's not much OF spartacus. and l
proceeded to give these critics that history l
showed them that Spartacus was q simple
Thracian shepherd and dressed in skins when
captured and brought to Rome-that was told