The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-26

The task of upholding the dignity of the
tragic drama on the American stage seems
likely, the coming season, to fall on the
broad shoulders of Mr.. Robert L. Downing
the well-known Washington actor. 1t now
appears that not one of the other tragedians,
who in former years have combatted the rising
tide OF farce-comedy comedy, and melo-
drama which threatened to swamp the higher
form Of dramatic art, will be before the pub
lie, and Mr.. Downing will be left alone
to keep alive among the people the
taste for the legitimate. This state of
affairs has been brought about by the
sad death of Lawrence Barrett In the prime OF
his usefulness; the probable retirement OF
Edwin Booth from the scenes of his triumphs;
the forced rest of Thomas w. Keene, due to
a sudden attack OF illness In the height OF q
prosperous season; the return to the ranks OF
Louis James as leading man, and the presen-
tation of the romantic drama by Frederick
Warde.
"Our Bob" as he is affectionately termed,
Is thus left to continue In presentation
the noble works of the tragic muse.
The field is rich and productive and he
will not prove unworthy. Robert downing
In the line of characters interpreted, gives
convincing proof of his superiority. Sparta
Gus, the gladiator, he depicts with great in
tensity. AS Firginius, gentle and forbearing
man, but tempestuous to degree when the
Downing shows rare versatility and force.
Damon. that hard working part, now so
rarely presented, is handled with consummate
skill and judgment Ing0mdr is faultless
impersonation, as is the elder Brutus dlgni-
fed and merltorious assumption. AS Petru-
chic he is delightful in the quiet comedy OF
the part, the performance showing much
versatility. To Eugenia Blair, Mrs. Downing,
q bright hstronic ornament In sucn goouly
company, will be entrusted the entire range OF
n worthy
picture to that of the noble Spartdcus. Her
Pdrthe1iG is a Characterization noted Tor It's
gentle and lovable simplicity. Her Hermaone
is fit counterpart to that OF the heroic
Damon. AS Virginia, the winsome daughter
of Vtrgi1,i,,S, upon whom the breath OF scan
dal and shame are so woefully blown, her
acting is charming.
Mr. Downing's support the coming season
will be composed OF some OF the prightest
people on the stage. In Fred. G. Mosely, a
strong and conscientious young actor OF wide
experience, Mr.. Downing has secured lead
ing man Of fitness and intelligence Win
several years. training under the able school-
ing of Lawrence Barrett he comes thoroughly
equipped Others selected for their peculiar
fitness for the different characters assigned
them are: Mr.. Edwin Ferry, Mr.. George Ma
comber, Mr.. William Boag, Mr.. Robert Haines,
Mr.. Frederick Hoey, Mr.. Bertram Temple,
mum, Miss Florence Irwin, Miss Carrie New
combe aud Others as equally well known.
Upon a visit to Mr.. Downing's country seat,
Edgemore, near Benning's, one encounters an
all-round sense of activity. Preparations that
are in an advanced stage for the elaborate
work of the coming seasons tour OF the
country, which will extend from Portland,
Me-, to Portland, Ore, taking in the
entire width and breadth OF the country.
Here surrounded by his executive force,
plans are formulated, new work arranged,
new scenic effects for the different productions
designed and presented for consideration.
New plays are read and debated. The I'M
mense amount of heavy work involved in the
launching of such an elaborate theatrical en-
terprise seems beyond the power OF one man
even to adequately supervise.
An extensive repertoire OF standard plays
are in active rehearsal, the productions (all OF
which will be superbly mounted and presented
with the minutest attention to detalI Will In
.clude "Virginius,n "Damon and Pythias,"
'Brutus or the Fall of Tarquin," "The
Gladiator" by A. Saumet; "Ingomar,n "The
sSaracen,n s'Katherine and Petruchio," "The
White Pilgrim" and "Count Claudio.n The
costumes for these several plays will be EN-
tirely new, rich, and costly, and will be manu-
factured from new and original designs by the
celebrated Hawthorne Costuming House, OF
New York.
Mr. Downing has been selected by the man
.agement of the National Theatre as fitting
attraction for opening the fall and winter
season at that house, which he will do The
last week In August JOHN L. WARDE.