Kansas City daily journal., 1895-11-14
Music AND rpr DRAMA.

| II is nearly ten years since Robert Down
| ing first made his appearance In the title
| role OF Saumet's tragedy, "The Gladiator" !"
! Time has not dimmed the fire and force
| while II has matured the methods Of this
stalwart traEedian. Perhaps MIR. Downing
I appears at his best In the heroic role of
/ Nero. a type OF those bloody times when
! might was right and withal there was
something noble in those barbarlc natures,
whose hearts were pure though their
hands were red. Physically MIR. Downing
is well nigh perfect in the part and to this
Is added forceful and Intelligent render
ing OF his lines that holds his audience
from the moment he steps on the stage
until the last fan OF the curtain. Eugenie
Blair is an engaging Neodamla. Her in
terprctntior Of the role OF the Christian
martyr is infinitely gentle and beautiful
and forms powerful contrast TO the rude
strength ana passions Of the stalwart
father. The role OF Flavan is happily cast
IN the hands of 50 able a young actor as
Mr. Ferry, and Mrs. Bates adequately flls
the part OF the cruel and wicked empress.
Faustna. The cast is strong and capable
and the stage settings are quite elaborate
and effective. The same bill FOR Saturday
evening with Helena" tonight and Fri
day and Julius Caesar for Saturday
matinee.
.."1oanthe," with cast and chorus OF
Thursday evening, November rs. running
the rest Of the week. with Saturday mat
inee This production IS under the direction
o' Miss Georgia Brown, Of Lawrence this
IN itself being guarantee of excellence.
Rehearsals began four months ago and have
been held daily, and both cast and chorus
are now letter perfect. While many Of the
Htue players are only . and years old.
they eNince a wealth OF dramatic talent
Many OF them are well known, having fre-
quen,ly earned applause upon the local
stage. feature OF the production will be
the lavish costumlng. Almost 5000 has
been expended for these alone, and al
though made here will compare with the
work of any Eastern artist. The most
perfect taste has characterized the selec-
ton. and while all are Of great gorgeous,
ness, are far removed from vulgarity. Spe-
cial scenery Will be used.
Local ,playgoers have always extended
aSs enttled SPpe'tIe Gontented G one WomahS Gl ms
Which ,Sl WI play q weeks engasement az
sunday matinee. is sure to be no exception
to the rule. It's scenes, are laid in Denver,
and iis story deals, with the experiences of
the new woman" in politics. MIR. Hoyt
starts in, with. the first act to explain the
moyement and before the final curtain
fails he has made out an exceptionally
wei as creating a whole landslide of mer-
riment The comedy Is said to be the most
ambitious effort of Mr. Hoyt, az II dcviates
from the farcical lines that characterize
MS other works. and glides gracefully
along the borders of high comedy. There
are, of course, a few specialties. The piece
Will be put on here by the original COM
pany, which includes Caroline Miskel-Hoyt
In Eugene Tompkins' production Of THE
Black Crook" announced for the Ninth
Street next week, a spectacle hitherto
given only at standard prices in this city,
some attractive features are promised. An
up-to-date novelty Will he the Introduction
of a 'rrilby ballet" The celebrated Span
ish Serenaders will present their interest
ing novelty. Brothers RiXford from the
Circus Cisinelli, and the great Bretoni. the
wonderful change artist, are strong fac
tors. Three hallets and a transformation
scene will vie with the tabled gorgeous
ness of the Orient" In all, the theater-
going public is promised something OF
unique Interest and elaborate beauty.
4 large and increasing sale Is reported
for the Melba concert at the Auditorium
the evening of the 2Srd. There are, how
ever, good seats remaining at 1900 Main
street where locations NAV be selected