The times., 1900-12-30
AT THE THEATRES.
The National - Olga NetherxoIe'x
"Magda.3


To her already quite imposing list of
successes Olga Nethersole added another
at the National Theatre last evening
that of "Magda.' An audience that was
numerically large and friendly in it's atti-
tude filled all the available seating ca
pacity Of the theatre anu was very lavish
with Its demonstrations of approval of
both the piece and the chief player.
"Magda" has been shown to American
theatregoers on several previous occa-
sions-notably by Duse. the Italian; Nine
Modjeska. the Pole; Bernhard the French
genius; Mrs. Fiske, the American, and
now comes this English woman's inter-
pretation OF the sudermann heroine. and
with all due Difference TO her predecessors
in the part. Miss Nethersole's offering
will at once take a foremost rank and do
much TO increase her artistic reputation
Last nights production of "Magda" was
doubly interesting from the fact that the
adaptation has been made by Miss Meth
ersole, and it shows many little touches
that bespeak for themselves the feminine
pen. This newest version of the German
drama makes an absorbingly interesting
performance. In which the actress -adapter
does not protrude herself too prominently,
but gives the other contributory charac-
ters good deal OF eminence. There was
last night no effort to make scenic pro-
duction such as is usually expected from
Miss Nethersole, but in presenting her
Magda in this city she evidently cared
only for an expression of Washington
noted unbiased criticism as to the merits
or deficiencies of her piece Viewed from
an impartial standpoint and purely
10Th fhn Slf la ct ,irI4
biage, the Nethersole 'Magda' is an un-
qualified success, both as regards the play
itself and the portrayal of-the principal
character. Magdslena SchwartZe, and Ii
is a most valuable addition to the English
womans repertoire. The captious might
find small faults in the performance, but
they would be principally errors common
to all first presentations and easily rene
died
The story Of "Magda.' is an appeal for q
broader humanity 1t tells OF the return
from Berlin, where she studied music, OF
Magdalena. the daughter of Colonel
SchwartZe. whose life In the army and
the confines of small town have dwarfed
his Ideas of the outside world, and who
was strongly opposed 10 the idea of his
daughter leaving her native town to pur-
sue her studies. The first act brings
Magda back to her former home not as
the girl who left it. but as Magdalena dal
OrtO. a famous singer. who has been en-
gagged to sing at a musical festival. She
is recognized and the father is Informed
that the celebrated vocalist is none other
than his own child. reconciliation is
effected and The narrow-minded and ty-
rannical parent consents to receive Magda |
once more in his home. She later meets |
Won Keller. who had known her before in |
Berlin, and who.-it transplres is the father !
OF her child. The father becomes aware OF |
the fact and demands that Won Keller |
shall marry his daughter, but Magda re- |
fuses TO consent to the union. He threatens |
to shoot her unless she does as he COM |
mnnds, and as the thoroughly frenzied |
parent is about to fire. he drops dead.
The Nethersole version of the piece is in |
three acts. whereas the original of Suder- !
mann occupies four Miss Nethersole has /
taken the first and second for her first act, |
and although 1t makes a long opening, it
is full of interest. The somberness of the |
play is frequently relieved with touches of
humor; indeed the first three acts are
more along the lines OF a comedy than a
great tragedy and in tSis is found one of
the strongest points of tae piece
Magda" is role splendidly adapated
to Miss NethersoIe She has the tempera-
ment and exalted magination necessary
to the portrayal of the character, and she
is, besides genius in the matter Of the
atrical technique. or all the manifold
and delicate accomplishments of her pro-