The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-20
ADJUSTMENTS.
How Downing Made an Actor.

Robert Downing, who is here with his
company fer the K. of p. encampment week
is known to be one of the best stage teach
ers in the country and has long contem-
plated founding a national institution on
his large estate near Washington for edu-
eating actors. His idea is not to teach elo-
cution or the society stage-school Delsarte
business. but train the ambitious student
in real acting, giving the lessons on a COM
pletely furnished stage, with all the acces-
series for regular production. If man
want to learn trade he goes to a black
smith shop or factory. To learn painting
he must go to art studio, and to learn
acting Mr.. Downing has always held, one
must go TO the stage, not to some sump-
tuously fitted conservatory where the walls
are hung with photographs of great actors,
including the promoter of the school, and
the teachers and students are walking adj
Nertisements for fashionable dressmakers
During his starring experience Downing, as
many other well-known actors. is being
constantly sought after to give this or thai
young genius a chance. AS in the cases of
other stars. he has frequently taken novices
who seemed to show special fitness for the
stage and made competent actors of them
Downing is shrewd, and the best work he
ever. did. perhaps. was last season, when he
not only brought out a new leading man
who made good with the public. but cap
tured the critics, and that with only three
months training. This man was William
Bramwell who was Eugene Blair's leading
man all last season. Downing received COM
pliments all along the line on his wonderful
md in the Englishman 'he had brought
over" but he never told how the English
man was never behind the footlights until
Downing put him there. Bramwell was in
frank story of his condition and asked to
be given a chance. He had been in the
nNA ~ lid
thing on this side, from selling books 20
playing the races. He had failed at every
thing he ever tried. He was thirty years
old, had a good voice and a taking person
ality, but knew nothing of the stage. Down
ing took liking to the man and started
In to see what he. could do. He gave him
an hours instruction every day during the
summer teaching him the principles Of act
Ing. The Englishman put in six hours prac-
tice on his lesson each day, and when it
placed him in Eugene Rlair's comnanSS
as leading man. In the meantime word had
been given out that Downing had secured
an Englishman to support his wife in her
self in such an unpretentious fashion and
made no bad bunders he was accepted ev-
Srywnere. Bramwell made such hit that
week.
I'm the same company" said Mr.. Down
Ing, while telling the story. were men who
had years of experience, but they. did not
Know much about acting as Bramwell
with his three months. ] taught him the
needs
Judging by some OF the. advertised lead
ing men in big companies during recent
years. there is instant need for Downing
school of acting. and the Gladiator should
establish his national dramatic factory at
once.
Two more performances of How Hopper
Was Side-tracked, at the Park. this after
noon and tonight. will conclude Nthe en-
gagement here of julie Walters and his
company. The first vaudeville bin OF the
season. opening at the Park Monday after
noon for all next week is Fulgora's Star
Speciality Company. headed by Mr. and Mrs
Arthur Sidman. who were the stars of last
seasons 1ransoceanics. Ten high-cass acts
constitute the programme. Tuesdays ma IL
nee will begin at las and be over in time for
the parade that day.
The latest song by Thomas H West,
popular member of st. Elmo K. of p. Lodge
Of Kansas City. will be introduced in In
dianapolis next week The title of the bal
lad is 'On the Wedding Morn and it hap
pens that Henry Kessler, who is singing
the song with success is a member of FlIi-
gora's company. that will be at the Park
all next week
Irwin Brothers Burlesquers, the initial at
traction at the Empire. will begin a weeks
engagement next Monday matinee. The Ir.
win aggregation is one of the brightest
puresque organizations on the circuit even
II Irwin does bill the Five Barrison Sisters
Some who saw the originals say Irwin's imi
tators are better than the Roster & Bal
outfit was.