The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1894-11-22
ADJUSTMENTS

At the Clunie Opera-nouse tonight the
Higgins Waldron Company will repeat
Barley CampbelPs thrilling drama THE
Galley Slave" 1t is handsomely staged
and excellently acted.
Note has already been made of the APP
pearance at the Metropolitan Theater Sat-
urday night of the tragedian Robert
Downing, supported by Miss Eugenia
Blair, Mrs. L. NJ. Bates and a strong
company. The play viii be The Glad
iator," and as a foil to Mr.. Downing a
local athlete will take part in the wrest-
ling scene. Downing began his career as
call boy in Eord's Theater, Washington.
His native wit and ability very soon took
him out Of that position into Juvenile
parts and presently he was given roles OF
prominence and he won the attention of
Edwin Booth, with whom he maintained
close friendship to the end of Booths life
Downing rose rapidly and when Mary
Anderson made her principal American
tour he was called to be her chief sup
port, playing 1ngomar. Romeo, Master
Walter and the like. He was also for
season leading man to Joe Jefferson and
next took up melodrama and studied
comedy and romantic drama also. In
1855 he began to star in 1.-The Gladiator"
and "Virginius." He next took up the
study OF Shakespeare's tragedies and be-
came a leading Brutus, Marc Antony,
Richard and Macbeth. He has made
The Gladiator" a specially and has won
wherever he has appeared the commenda-
ton Of the critics and the applause of the
people. That play will be given here
with original scenery and classic cos
tunes. The arena scene with the broad
sword combat and the wrestling match
he makes one of the most thrilling ever
put upon the stage. Downing is a man
.a,..,x \, 4 H.,
man, tall, heavy and with the strength
and development OF the trained athlete.
Miss Blair is represented as handsome
woman OF fine stage presence and an ac-
tress of ability and high intelligence.
The San Francisco Chronicle of Novem-
Der 9th, speaking Of Mr.. Downing and
his company, said: There was a very
large and cordial audience at the Califor-
MIA Theater last night to witness the first
appearance here OF Robert Downing.
Mr.. Downing was supported by Eugene
Blair, and both OF them had very warm
reception. = The play was
The Gladiator not the old Sparticus
play of DIR. Bird, but the Saumet tragedy,
which the elder Salvini did when he APP
peared some years ago at the Baldwin.
The play and the character of Nero, the
gladiator, were as favorable vehicles for
the first presentation of Mr.. DoWningIs
ability as he could have selected. Every
quality he has suits the gladiator. figure,
voice and manner especially fitting. The
audience enjoyed the presentation of
kind OF part which has hardly been seen
here since McCullough's time in English
He plays Nero exactly i'll
that way. and it is, while not as stirring
as it might have been, very interesting
and effective. Miss Blair has gained, ii
anything, in charm and attractiveness.
She makes a Neodania about whom
a D1fIf sor flrrh frNf
this century. She has the method of the
old classical play thoroughly learned and
she is the most graceful and easy actress
of it on the stage to-day" The box
office of the Metropolitan Theater opens
this morning for reservation of seats.