Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-13
THINGS DRAMATIC.

Yesterday at matinee MT. Robert Down. iug, supported by Miss Eugenia Blair and strong company, pleased a large audience in the production of double bill, "French Marriage' and tDavid Garrick.o .o This is the first time that MT. Downing has ever presented these plays in this city, and the strength and fcrcibility in presentation de- teriorated in no way from that of other clever productions by this noted actor. The people were pleased his highest aim accom- plished.
 ";he GIadiator'' was the bill last night and was witnessed by only lair house, much smaller than has ever greeted this great American tragedian, but the appre- cia ion of the production was no less than on other occasions. He was credited by round after round of applause and smore than twice was compelled to answer cur tain calls. "rhe Gladistor'' has been played over 1900 times by Mir. Downing with success that is marvellous, and the reason of this is because the play is made of something that lives.
 In this it is unlike many of the present evanescant productions. lt has plot that contains all tho realism and sensationalism of melodramgs. It's theme is of the lo.tisst. The language is all that is beauti- ful, poetic, elevating, inspiring. It teaches lesson and ones seen is never for gotten, for it lives in the memory of every one who witnesses 1t. Hs
 When one sees this American tragedan carrying out the part of the Gladiator he imagines himself in Rome witnessing something that is not only true, but realis- tic. He knows nothing, thinks of nothing but the great iragedian as he portrays gladiator in the days when Rome had her brutality, aud when the life Of a slave was always in danger. He who delights in the delneation of such characters of those days can but appreciate the grand and ele- vaiing work of this man, and a who does not knows not what is beautiful, nor has conception of what is grand. To the pleas- ure seeker he is pleasing and to the student n tutor. To watch three hours of such a performance is worth hundred times that In reading Roman history.
 Mr. Downing last night was at his best, and in the arena scene he was simply be- yond criticism. Not only was he great, but his leading lady, Miss Eugenia Blair, as Modamia, made an impression upon the audience that will long be remembered. Her conception and characteriz .tion of this part could hardly be excelled. Indeed she, too, reached her aim by blessing.
 Mrs. F. M. Bates as Faustinia and Wal ter Burton as Flavin created @ good inn pression.
 There were others, too, who did well.
 ELLEN BEACH YAW.
 Tuesday night a musical treat is prom ised at 0 Brien'sr Miss Ellen Beach Yaw aud her two assstan nts, Miss GeUrgiela Lay and MT. Maximillian Dick.
 Miss Ellen Beach Iaw is a slight, poetic young lady of 9 summers, with a profusion Of blond hair and very attractive features. The famous Nilsson raved about her in Paris, and many others, for such com- pass of voice is phenomenal. S-e sings from c below middle up to D on ae sixth ledger line above the treble staff, the entire range beiug true, smooth and unbroken. When 1t is remembered that Cassie RenZ only touched G on the fourth, De Murska F above the third and Carlotta Patti on the fourth. Miss Yew's voice will be the better appreciated by musicians.
 Miss Lay is q young American girl whose star has been in the ascendancy the past year. She is true artist, possessing soul and fire, which under the most exacting criticism will place her high up on the scroll of fame. As a soloist she has few rivals, as an accompa ist she is unexceled.
 Mir. Dick, the vioinist, was born in Minnesota in 1871. He began his musical education under the tuition of his mother the great Wieniawski. At the age of he began his public career with such great success that he was sent to Europe to com pleie bis education under the tutorship of Professors Sitt and Hermann in Leipsic. Critics often make note of MT. Dicks style of playing as being so much like Rsnenyi's, but that he is much greater artist.
 .eEps. a1 GROWERS DOUBLE.
 "Grover Cleveland has one staunch friend in Tt X IS, anyhow.' said gentleman at the Pickwick yesterday. "I don't know his name, but that's no matter, for likely few would know him. made the discov- cry of his friendship last night in front of the opera house. He came heaviug down Third street, all sail set. The street was hardly wide enough for him, for he wab- bled from one side to the other, and every few minutes he would come in abrupt con- tact with the wall, on first one side and then the other. Though nominally headed east his progress north and south was greater, and he made some little headway in his homeward direction. l stood on the corner Of Main and Third streets and watched him. Just as he reached the opera house he heaved to and landed in front of a large Autograph of Charles H. Yale, pro- prietor and manager of the Newest Devils Auction company. MT. Yale, us you know, is quite u portly gentleman. Well, the bibulous subject of the recital ran up against the Autograph, and was evil denty much astonished thereat, for inn mediately he jerked off his hat and ex- claimed: Why, hello, Grover, old sport, how's they comin'?'
 Then he slapped the picture on the shoulder and the illusion not being de- stroyed by the contact with the hard sub. stancs he continued thusly: "Grover, old fel', Pm wid ye. They say hard things about you, old sport, but r m your friend, Grover, old boy; Pm your friend. Yes, Grover, old pard, voted for you, and 1T | q uau a LuOubaHu VOteS tuey u all OSeu for old Grove, the greatest old sport in the buuch. Don't let lem buldoze you, Grove, old boy; stay wid lem, and I'Il back you. Don't pay too much attention to the senate either, old pard. Look after Frankie and the babies. Well, good night, Grove, old pard; Pm goin' home, but I'll stick 10 you, Grover. I'l stick to you, you needn't fear that.' Then he heaved off, and the last saw he was wab- bling down the street.
 Charley Yale and his great "Devil's Auction" company will be at O'Brien's for one performance only, Thursday night.
 ELKS' ENTERTAINMENT.
 The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, au institution organized for charita- ble purpo oses and one of Eirm gham's so- eis;ies, will, on Monday evening, January IA, at O'Bren's opera house, tender the public of our city a grand, in fact, judging from the programme below stated, the grandest musical treat ever given the Bir- mingham public. The proceeds of the