The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-06
DECADENCE OF HIGH ART.

downing Tells Why SO Few Take to
Legitimate Drama.
Robert Downing and his company arr
rived in the city last night Mr.. Downing
In talking with a MORNING News repre-
sentative said that If times are hard in the
south, as rumor has it, the fact has not been
satisfactorily demonstrated 70 him. Every
where be has been since coming into the
south Mr.. Downing has had crowded houses,
and he believes il times were as hard as has
been pictured people would not be likely TO
spend money for the theater.
The great tragedian talks interestingly Of
the scarcity Of actors aud actresses in the
legitimate drama, which Is becoming more
noticeable every year. The reason for this,
DIR. Downing says, is that the legitimate re-
qulres great deal of study and the young
actors and actresses who are coming out
nowadays prefer to take characters and
pieces which do not demand this tax upon
their mental forces, while they shut out the
fact that once they become proficient in
legitimate drama they can command double
the salary which obtains in other lines Of
theatricals.
There are now only four stars following
the higher art, Keene, James, Ward and
Downing. Downing is the youngest
10 hear people talk about having seen me
on the stage when they were young said
Mr.. Downing, would make a person be-
lleVe L was up in the Sos Men OF my
own age who now speak of having seen me
before the footlights when they were young
FELLOWS seem to forget that was a young
fellow myself at that time, and that have
not increased any faster in age than
themselves. | went on the stage when l
was IL years old, and | have been coming
TO Savannah since for seventeen years. l
came first with Fords' combinations, next
with Joe Jefferson and since that
time with my own company. MIR. Jeffer-
son once wildly illustrated to me the way
IN which actors who have been on the stage
Tor any length of time get the reputation
OF being old men. We we're walking along
street when an old gentleman, walking
with a stick, passed and greeted us. III
you ask him anything about me- said MIR.
Jefferson, IN wager he will say. 90, l saw
Jefferson playing Rip Van Wrinkle thirty
years ago. yet l am not any older than
himself, but his statement would leave the
Impression that under such circumstances l
ought to be about So"
Mr.. Downing is the only tragedian who
now plays "Virginius' and the Gladiator"
The other stars have dropped these from
their repertories. He regrets 70 see actors
avoiding the Legitimate, and fears that
unless change comes about the
future will not see much tragedy. The
south Is one Of the best fields in the country
for the higher art, Mr.. Downing SAYS, be.
cause the southern people appre slate it and
whenever they get an opportunity show it
by their generous patronage. During this
trip the actor is making a collection of
tropical plants and flowers for bis
preen houses III Washington.s He expects to
get several specimens from Savannah. Mr..
Downing is great aduirer OF this oity,
which he considers next to Washington, the
prettiest city in America on account Of the
manner In which IL is laid out The steady
| growth OF Savannah since he came here
justs eventeen years ago, Mr.. Downing said
is to his mind phenomenal.
W. A. Mcconnell, manager Of Mr.. Down
ing's company, is arranging TO open the
American theatrical Exchange in New
York city with Henry Green valid about
May l next. The exchange will be under
the exclusive management Of Mr. McCon-
nell, and will book all the first-class at
fractions for their tours. Its principal OBJ
ject will be to carry out contracts and
make arrangements with different cities for
star combinations.