The times., 1900-12-30
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Persons whose acquaintance with Olga
Nethersoie has been gained from across
the footlights possess but an indefinite
idea of the charm and womanliness of this
wholly delightful actress. Viewed al
closer range, from over a table, loaded
with fond Christmas remembrances from
the members of her own company. people
who have come to regard her with an ad-
miration that approaches idolatry. Miss
Nethersole presents altogether differ
ent personality than she exhibits TO her
audiences in the theatre. Briefly, the
Nethersole of the stage and the Neither
sole of the home life are two decidedly
antithetical characters. The actress
leaves behind at the stage door all
evidences of her profession and seen in
her private life exhibits high minded,
cultivated, unaffected, and quite ingenious
nature There is nothing theatrical about
Miss Nethersole in her life away from
the public. She is merely refined,
healthful English woman Who has trav-
eled extensively, has read about every au-
thor OF note, thoroughly and understand
ingly. and who discusses them with al
most the same amount of enthusiasm as
she shows for small doll which she af-
fectionately calls Laura.
Olga Netherscle playing with dolls?
The ideal
Fact. nevertheless, and when asked
about ii the actress naiyely confesses to a
childish devotion and admiration for dolls
that is almost absurd
Not one but score of dolls adorned
the Nethersole apartments at the Airing
ton when a Times interviewer enjoyed an
hours chat with the actress the other
afternoon Those sensationalists who
made such hue and cry over the pro-
duction of "Sapho." and who term Miss
Nethers1le the wicked woman OF the
stage, should see her in her own self, wit
ness the pleasure she takes in things that
are usually associated with childhood s
days. and get small conception of the
immense amount of charitable work she
does. They should telephone to the Chill
dren's Hospital and get an opinion OF the
English woman and learn that she con-
tributed more genuine enjoyment to the
little ones in that institution than per-
haps any other person in Washington.
For let il be understood the immense
Christmas tree that occupied position
of prominence in Miss Nethersole's rooms
at the hotel was especially purchased and
trimmed with the sole intention of send
ing II to some charitable institution with
a ward of little folks who might possibly
be overlooked by Santa Claus.
Aa engagement at 2 o'clock last
Wednesday found a Times representative
prompt, but at the Arlington Miss Meth
ersole's brother and mana ger, Louis
Nethersole, apologiZed for the enforced
tardiness of his sister and conveyed u re
quest that the newspaper man wait for
five or ten minutes-no longer, assured
Mr.. Nethersole.
Come upstairs" suggested Nethersole,
frere.
An array of trunks, fully score at
least as CLEANED from a casual survey of
the double line, silently standing guard
over the entrance TO the Nethersole
apartments, was good evidence of the 10
cation of the actress quarters. Inside were
a tree laden with dolls. bonbons. tinsel
galore. and boxes OF sweets, a mantel
adorned with over a score of kilograms
with the compliments OF the season, sew
eral tables over-burdened with remem-
brances from friends and members OF the
company.
One OF these. set of books, biogra-
phies OF actresses of bygone day, was
accompanied by this note: Il desire to
introduce twenty-four great actors and
actresses TO a twenty-fifth. "
A swish and swirl of silks announced
the entrance .. Miss Nethersole, and
caught red handed in the act of eXamin-
ing one of the gifts the Times inter
viewer sought refuge in a reference to the
dolls.
"oh, love them Just as much as though
] were six" adinittej the Sapho of the
stage. Those on the tree are for some
poor children. but thatlittle girl over there
on the sofa Laura, is my own-iust
fancy, ! have had her with me my
travels in this country and over Europe
for three years. The dear child met
some horrid dogs one day and they nearly
killed her-pulled her apart. tore of her
golden curls. and amputated both Of her
legs"
And then you sent her to be repaired"
ventured the newspaper man.
"Repairedi"-witha trace of disgust ID
her voice. ..Neyeri / sent her TO the hos
pital!"
This. be 1t remembered, from the ac-
tress who was arrested for playing
-Sapho," and was bounded by the yellow
press of the country, IL was genuine
giriish enthusiasm, and could not have
been greater II Miss Nethersole were a
tot OF a half dozen years.
'Your Magda-it is your own transla-
ton SO the press agent assures u.s." re-
marked the interviewer.
Yes; you see / have come to the con-
clusion that 1t Is poor business to pay a
mere adgpter as much for his work as one
pays dramatist for an original product
/ hope I can make adaptation as we'll
as anyone, particularly when you recall
that / introduce all OF my own stage Dusi-
ness. and plan the situations and group
ings OF every scene. / have stage man
aged my own plays ever since / first came
10 this country, and one OF the best evil
dences Of my abilities In this line you may
see In the ballroom scene in 'Sapho.' which
has been described as one of the best
handled ensemble pictures that has ever
been presented on the American stage.
formerly laid out all the business OF a
play in my mind. but in this first scene
in the Fitch play tried different method
and brought the people on the stage at re-
hearsal. three or four at time. and gave
each group directions as 10 Just what they
should do, how they should move about the
picture. end in this way secured the effect
SO well that the public seem more than
pleased with the result.
II notice that The Times remarked
about reciting my lines With my back to