The Savannah morning news., 1900-10-19
At the THEATER.
Robert Downing In the "GIndiator"
and Orchard the Lion Hearted"

Robert Downing In the "GIndiator"
and Orchard the Lion Hearted"
Mr. Robert Downing was seen In two
performan. mes yesterday. afternoon ana
night The Gladiator MIR. Downings
star piece-was the matinee, bin that a.
ternately brought tie tears and p.audlts
from the ladies' who always make Up
matinee audiences. Richard. the Lion
Hearted" another play that Mr Downing
Is unmistakabiy associated witt m its
stage prestnta Ion. was eiven az night.
Mr.. Downing has been seen here IN both
OF these plays before IL cannot bee de-
MED that he appeared 70 batter advantage
than he did on his last visit when his
voice was not AZ It's best and he was
stouter than he now IS though II might
b. said in OIL kindness that a further .oss
IN avoirIupois would not be harmful
In both the Glad itor' and as Richard.
Couerd Lion the characters call FOR spleI-
did physique and immsnslty and power Of
voice both Of which qualities Mr.. Down
Ing amply supplies He wac a his best iu
the last act % Richard" perhaps. VII
rescued from HIS prison he fcils Mowbray
ami comes 10 nls own again
Mr. Downing has ln his support an ac-
tor who has supported many nlustrious
stars o. iragedy-Mr Charles y Herman
Mr. Herman IS an excellent actor fine
reader and. though he did not have scope
enough ir Richard" TO display his tai
euts. he was admirable
Miss Alberta Converse Mr.. Downlne's
lending lady. Is only in her third season
on che stage. but II her progress continues
proportionately as Il has already she has
career before her Miss Converse was
H.
sweet. refined and vigorous as the role
sometimes called for
Probably very few persons a. the audi
ence knew thas the young woman who
played the roles Of Hernia at the natl
nee and Rose al night and whom the pro
gfamme announced as Miss Minnie Lind
ley. is Mr.. Downing daughter bu% such
II the case This IS her nrst season on
the stage and while She hos not adopted
IL as profession as yet. and IS only fol-
lowing Il 90 h. with her father IL o. ike
ly that she will be unable 10 gee away
from its fasCinations after awhile.
The appearance OF Charles 3. Hanford
Is always an event OF interest HIS pro-
duotion OF "a new play Is an occasion Of
especial note. afloniiug as u does the first
opportunity OF seeing him ln a modern
drama. His impers0natious OF the great
characters IN IN. classics have been mark
Cd by so much intellectually. as well as
personal gruce. that anything he does Is
awaited with confidence. and the fact that
he stands sponsor for Private John AL
len If Ia Itself a very high and convlnc-
Ing Endorsement OF lis merits
The play presents picture Of lie In tho
south. with Characters drawn from real
people. and with complications and cli-
makes which give the plot absorbing in-
terest The author. Lee Arthur. is him
self Southern man. who. before writing
Private John Allen" Tor Mr. Hanford
won distinguished reputation as q ,irn-
mallst through his we 'Uns OF Tenucs-
SEE Private John Alien" is man OF
heroic mould-one Of the natures which
command admiration whether they Do nor
uayed ~ a toga or Ia frock coat His
sacrifices for the sake OF country ana
Tor the woman he loves form the bass
81 the story. which combines hurnor vi IA
pathos. and force with tenderness. Mr.
Hantord has devoted grout care 10 tho
selection OF cast for his new play.
The leading lady, Marie Drofnah has
been associated with Mr.. Hanford IN
many important productions Her sue
cess has been pronounced ana the eharac-
ter she now assumes is peculiarly sul.cd
to her talents. Realizing that modern
play must have modern production. and
accustomed as he has been 10 the elabor-
ate stage equipment such as tragedy de-
mands, Mr.. Hanf0rd has felt thnt bc
could not do Otherwise than give ''Pri-
vate John Allen" a moss liberal noun
Ting The beautiful pictures Of home-iife
IN the South. which the nuthor has sur-
Eested IN his manuscript have been real
ized with oil the art that the scene painter
can command. every scene used in che
play being carried by che company 80
that all Mr. Hanford's manager asks OF
the theaier Is "a stage cleared OF its local
scenery The company has been matter
OF particular soliciiude. the various char
acters being such as 20 require more than
mediocrlty for their proper impersopn-
ton. Mr.. Hanford's reception in 'sprl-
waite John Allen" has been most fiattcr-
Ing. and hts portrayal Of the tile role
stamps him an actor Of Wide versatility
as well as extraordinary power. The play
viii be seen here at three performance.
tonight and tomorrow matinee and
night.
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