The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-26
A TYPE OF A ROMAN.
Downing's Mastery Presenta-
ton of The Gladiator
MAReETT WINS IN THE ARENA.
Memories OF Great Actors Recalled as
the Seattle Theaeer-Champfon
Wresfler's New Laureis.


Gladiator" and his rugged desine.tion
was revelation to the msiority OF the
large audience present that made OF the
performances . dramatic triumph from flrst
TO last. The lore Of giant force in
man IL inherent in the human family. and
this Was made manifest last evening by
the rapturous applause that greeted Mr..
Downing's first appearance IS the gladi-
ator- His massive proportions were well
displayed in iieshings with tigers akin
for . mantle. aud with the exception of
little too much flesh he presented
the appearance Of perfec. Hercules.
Mr.. Downing 10 Is yet young in years. so
that with the gentle physical training
which he maintains daily his physical
proportions should keen pace with his
mental improvements and, being the only
living actor of that massive order. he has
opportunities of winning . reputation
that should place his name on the same
roll with that of Edwin Forrest
Mr. Doxning's success last evening was
strikingiy marked: every scene of
his received spontaneous recognition
and the close OF every act
was the signal for succession
OF recalls that would not down until he
mad responded several times in succession,
doing 20 four times at the close of the act.
and ending with speech in which he
thanked the audience for its appreciation.
THE Gladiator In construction is
equally colossal with Mr.. Downing, its
theme Is lofty, its characters of the lofty
Roman type and its language poetic and
elevating. II has all the realism of the
most sensational melodrama with happy
combination of attributes that eleyates II
above the common. The scenery is inspir-
ing and impressive, the catacombs of Rome.
Jnno's temple, the prison, Fiavian's gar
den and the arena all recall the splendor
OF the Casars. This perfection as to de-
tails Is carried out even in the cast. and
there IL no unseemly contrast between the
ability of Mr.. Downing and that of the
large company that supports his effort
Not only Is this noticeable in point of tall
ent. but also in point of physique. The
men are large aud muscular. in physical
keeping with the characters they repre-
sent. SO that the high standard of art
aimed ut by Mr.. Downing is charm
ingly maintained, the perform
ance at Its close leaving a
vivid picture indelibiy and pleasantly im-,
pressed on the mind with the striking
form of the gladiator as the central figure.
hf+ bONHlbe mas pAcassHk
with bright mind capable of approaching
the emotions of courageous soul, and
possesses native force that goes at once
to the foundation of the rugged character
of the gladiator. His pathos in the scenes
with his daughter Neodomis were as ten
der and touching as was terrible his
aroused anger before tire guilty empress
and the final tragedy in which he
kills his own daughter to save her.
| Grand is the only word that fittingly ex-
presses his representation of the slave
| Nero.
Eugene Blair's beauty and power had
| not been overrated in the advance notice
and her first scene was enough to enlist
| for her at once the favor OF her audience,
| and this went on increasing until shs
| fully shared the honors of the evening
| With Mr.. Downing. She is strikingly
| beautiful. with perfect features and a
graceful presence, and possesses histrionic
| powers that justify the high praises sung
| in her favor by the Eastern papers. Her
/ Neodomia was full of beauty and was
/ greatly enhanced by her rich voice full of
| pathos and emotion Mrs. +. NJ Bates,
/ as Faustina, impressed the audience with
/ her dramatic force, and In her scene with
/ Flavian scored a marked success. Mr.
/ Edmond Hayes, as Flavian, was a ma
| isstsc looking nebleman and fittingly pre-
| sented the character. The other char
acters were equally clever and acceptable
| and left nothing TO be desired
One of the features of the evening was
| the wrestling match announced between
| Oscar Marbett, the champion of the North
west, and John r. Mccormick. the wrestler
who travels with Mr.. Downing. The an
nouncement was made between the acts
| that one bout only would be had, cateh-as-
eateh-can. two shoulders and one hip
square on the floor, and 10 last fifteen
minutes. at the end of which, If no fall.
the match would be declared a draw.
Considerable money had been wagersd on
Marriott by his many friends in the audi
ence and when the curtain went up on the
arena scene and Marbett and Mccormick
came out both received hearty round OF
applause. The disproporsion in size was
at once apparent Mccormick weighed
30 pounds ard Marriott IT. Marbett.
| however, Was physically perfect, while
Mccormick had too much flesh on him.
No time vas lost IN rreglminaries and
time being called the two athletes went Al
IL. both cautious Marbett was the az.
gressor throughout, Mccormick seemingly
ressrving himself for final pyrotechnic
| effort In this, however, he was grievously
| disappointed, for Marbett was like an eel
in his arms. Zach man succeeded in
making two overhead falls. but
/ the under man squirmed out
| of the dangerous position. Mccormick
secured the first half Nelson on Marbett
and everybody looked for the end hut
| Marbest, quick as cat. broke IL and Vas
on his feet again. Marbets secured the
/ next hspf.Selson on Mccormick but the
| latter was too heavy for him 10 handle
| and he also tailed. This VAS repeated
| twice on each side. both failures. Every
| pretty movement received q round of APP
plaaso. and the fifteen minutes passed
I before either had succeeded in securing
! fall
After lie bout pcsr-IxTELLlaESerK re-
porter saw Mccormick. whe expressed
himself IS assani.hei 81 Marhe.t's agility.
/ aud said:
since leaving Philadelphia. and The only
/ There Is cnly ore way ia which | could
/ tarow him. and that Is by being cruel. I"
Mccormick vas formerly champion Of
the American Athletic Unton and los, his
amateur standing by Sighting profes-
.ionAl prIxefgat with Dsmlniek MeCafFrey.
whom ne whipped Ia tao rounds
s*The Gladiator" sisl be repeated tomos-
rax night and MaFbest and Mccormick
viii Try conclusions again.
n ES4- xsH 81