The morning call., 1894-11-10
TALKS OF ACTORS,
Robert Downing Was a
Chum of keane's.
lie Relates Some Interesting Incl
dents of People He Has Met
in His Time.

Robert Downing. the talented young
| legitimate actor, tells some very interest
ing "reminiscences of Tom Keane, the
tragedian. Keane is the actor who, many
years ago, was the leading man of the old
California Theater, and in that capacity
endeared himself to that generation of
theater- goers.
Mr.. Downing related many interesting
stories OF Keane to a number of friends at
the Palace Hotel last evening. and while
on the subject of old favorites he related a
little incident OF woman giving him an
uncanny dagger this week. saying: IF
you could only have seen the man who
owned this; he was Charles Fechter."
He replied. "Why, PLAYED with him."
Although only 81 years of age. MI.
Downing has been on the stage ever since
boy. and so he is contemporaneOus with
Louis James, T homas Keane and many
men older tn an himself. He has warm
regard for Mt Keane, and in speaking OF
him said: "SiXteen years ago in a stock
company IN Baltimore we were chums and
they called us the brothers, l was tn e
big brother and he the little brother
He is very, very versatile, and L have seen
him do every style of part. That is
what develops the artist. The most YER
satile actor that / knew was Mr.. Fechter.
and he was the greatest. He was an artist
with words, music aud color. with which
he painted an exquisite, fawless picture,
the work OF genius alone"
Louis James too received commenda ton
for his versatility. Two years ago l saw
him in the East as Uncle Tom, in Uncle
Toms Cabin and he was just as faithful
in his Interpretation of that part as he
was in that of the Fool in Francesca de
Riminr or 'Othello.' | consider him one
of the best all-round actors that L know"
When discussing amateurs, Mr.. Down.
Ing said that he had numberless requests
from girls to enter the profession. They
are coming TO me all of the time to ask if
I'll hear them read. 1t is often very diff
cult to tell the truth 10 them, and yet 1t is
The kindest act that one can do for them.
| don't believe n crushing girls ambi
| ton If she really has talent nor should
one praise unless it is absolutely true.
II have bad some unique applicants for
POSITIONS. have place.in Washington,
ID. c.. and one day a girl 10 OF 20 rushed in
| uuannounced all out OF breath, and said.
Mr.. Downing. l want to 60 with your
company, will you take me? | said,
Have you any experience? and she
| answered quickly, 'Oh, yes; loIs.'
How much did you get week"
Three hundred dollars was the
astounding reply.
v cry well; I'll give Won twenty.
"'Al right; III! take it. Thanks. Good
day, Mr.. Downing And off she went
like mad, so afraid she was I'd say fifteen
or refuse TO take her at all. She went out
with US, but l sent her home. She was
always Oh a run, and usually behind time.
l told her that | was sure household work
was better for her, and l thought she'd
make an excellent seamstress. | believe
she, in fact, began teaching elocu ton.
That is what many bad actors engage ill.,"
Mr.. Downing has new IDEA of lingo
mar" which his company presents Mon
day night. Instead of creating him the
coarse barbarian he tries to soften the
roughness of the role, and by makeup
and different Interpretation of the lines
he makes it more of a comedy part. Il
will certainly be departure from the con-
ventional, and he has already acquired an
Eastern reputation in this character.
Next week also David Garrick" will be
produced with the costumes of that actors
day, and that TOO. with Richard. the lion
hearted, Will be IN the lighter vein. Mrs
Downing, who is known on the bills as
Eugenia Blair, is no less interesting tha an her
husband. She is a cousin of Blanche
Bates, the young woman who assayed TO
be an actress in this city short time ago
and who gave it up TO wed Lieutenant
Davis. She has left her husband and re-
turned 20 the stage. Her mother, Mrs. +.
NJ. Bates. is a member of the Downing
company.