The Washington herald., 1913-10-19
Rebert L. pewning.

hODert IL OOWmnB entrusted Win stne
Icharacter Of John The Baptist. The sue
lcessfhi presentation. evoking the utmost
lenthusissm. as the lines and scenic effects
followed one another was the lever that
finally convinced the star that his greater
work could be done on the real stage OF
life, rather than the mimic. The COM
pany contained $50 actors and actresses.
The number Of Biblical dramas produced
about that time were noteworthy. Rich.
ard Mansield's magnificent production
Iof '.Herod," which dealt with the times
and conditions Of Judea at the coming
of the RedeemerJ II. Clay Greene's much
discussed drama of the Nazareth" and
Robert Downings "a Voice From the
Wilderness" depicting the days Of Herod
with John The Baptisti the two former
productions relying on magnificent set
tings and tableaux. while the last COM
bined those features with a strong drama
The scenic effects were of the most
elaborate and marvellous character. One
in particular was OF such construction
that whenever Herodias advanced a few
steps her dress was made to change COM
pletely in color, also when she was de-
nounced as the Shame of Israel" and
as John the Baptist stands pointing at
her she became enveloped in brilliant
scarlet fame The spiritual transforms
ton scene was a spectacular feature that
was new to stage effects and was repre-
sentative OF light from Heaven. which
was of the most brilliant radiance and at
the same time soft and supernatural.
The sunrise scene was another marvel In
the way of lighting effects, as II brought
about q gradual transition from the soft
glow shed by the stars to the brilliant
illumination Of full noon day. The bill
boards that formerly contained Robert
L. Downing, the celebrated Tragedian."
with his Sparticus. Hank Munk, Othello,
Marc Antony. Brutus, and others have
disappeared, their places being taken by
the daily papers, who proclaim Robert
l. Downing, Evangelist" Il Is a great
change from the stage with its revenue of
thousands Of dollars, to the evangeIist:c
work with its accompanying paltry re-
turns.
His early years on the stage were
spent with the brightest stars in the
dramatic world. His first experience with
Booth was rather out of the ordinary.
He had assigned him the First Actor in
Hamlet. At rehearsal Downing ap-
peared to good advantage After it was
over Booth called him to his dressing
room and read the part to him. That
night young Downing read his lines and
captivated the audience Booth was so
much pleased with 1t that he assigned
him to the role of King in that play
and made him his heavy man." Down.
ing supported Mary Anderson, playing
opposite lead in repertoire. He was about
closing a contract to go with her on her
European starring expedition. when a
hattering offer from Joseph Jefferson
appealed to Downing and he gave up the
trip, supporting Jefferson en- tour. The
array Of dramatic hits in which he ap-
peared comprise a brilliant record Of
achievement. Lovers OF the dramatic
art will recall with pleasure his acting
as '"The Gladiator" The arena scene in
which he appeared with Muldoon was a
vivid picture
While playing Romeo to Mary Ander-
sons Juliet, Downing had a property
man known as Bob an uncouth youth
whose education had been sadly neg
lected. Being short of a young man to
play the part of the page" Bob was
taught the lines as follows: 'I am almost
afraid to stand alone here in the church
yard. yet win II adventure" You can
imagine Downfng's surprise when the
lines that preceded the speech, Now
leave me, / wish to be alone" and the
reply, "I don't like dis hangin' about
but I'll tackle il just once"
There was a thud in Capulet's tomb
Miss Anderson had fallen to the floor
and was trying to choke herself to keep
from screaming with laughter, while
Downing simply stood and looked at
Bob" with a frown that would have
killed him. but he was not built that
way. All the excuse that he made was
Oats de best what I kin do"
While Downing was supporting McCul- |
lough, the daughter of a very dear friend |
OF The Governor was desirous to play |
'Parthenia-" One day, after dinner, when |
was feeling rather good, and |
anxious to please his friend, he said, |
''She shall play It on Friday night next"
The dream Of the young lady was about |
TO be realized. and the following morn |
Ing she appeared at the theater for the |
rehearsal. The rehearsal progressed; the
minutes seemed to drag; the company
became impatient but Mr.. Mccullough |
was all smiles and encouragement for
the young lady. When the act came
where the Barbarians seize Parthenia and
irag her on the stage. they had made
I'D their minds to get even with this
amateur for making them get up so early
Ind waste so much time at the theater.
When the cue came to seize her they
,aught her in such a way that II seemed
Ter life was in danger. Mccullough. with
that great voice OF his, said: "Stopi
What are you trying to do? Do you
want to kin her? Let me show you how
,ould be shown, but no force used. tell
ng the young men to try 1t that way.
All looked serene for the young lady.
rhe night OF the performance arrived,
he house entirely sold and overfowing
With her friends. A rehearsal Is one
hing; sthe performance Is another. With
Ter costume on, the music, the lights. II
nd the environments, the young lady
ost her nerve, forgot the lines and the
usiness Of the scene, the result being
bad case of stage fright McCul-
ough looked on. growing more impa-
lent all the time. growing about be
ng a fool for ever allowing such q
hing," &c. This, OF course, did not
id to the young lady's piece of mind
vhen she met Ingomar she lost en-
Ire control OF herself. the result be-
ng very unhappy ending of the
Gene. Now came the act In which the
oung Barbarians figured Mccullough
Tas like a lion walking up and down ,
he stage. Reaching the side where
hese Barbarians were to make their
ntrance and seize her, on OF them said.
what The Governor said )
I the rehearsal; we must show force
ut not use It" You can imagine the !
urprise when they heard Mr.. McCul-
'ugh say, You catch hold of her and
ont let go your hold until you are .
lean out of the theater," which they 6
Id. Afterward this young lady be- :
anne one OF the leading lights on the :
merican stage.
BLANCHE CHAPMAN.
Blanche and her sister, Ella-the Chap ,
ian ststers-danced and sang themselves