Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-03
A Chat With Drina De Wolfe.

Although the character of Helga in The
Prodigal Som affords me many opportuni.
ties have never experienced before, reai-
lie the part is one that does not appeal to
an audience" said Miss Drina De Wolfe,
discussing the first night of Hall Gaines
new play with some Washington friends
Tuesday. Was I nervous7 Yes; very. It
is an extremely difficult role, and there was
no friendly gathering of well-wiehers to
give me an encouraging hand. as there
would have been In New York had the play
opened there"
In her delightful suite of rooms, high up
in a big hotel, where the windows look out
upon the Potomac, Arlington and Virginia
hills. Miss De Wolfe did not suggest the
Iceland Helga. She was just frank girl,
enthusiastic over her act, her surroundings
and her first glimpse of Washington.
Il am crazy to see 1t all, and there is 50
little time for SEEING" she exclaimed. RE.
hearsals are likely to be called at any mos
ment. The work Of cutting and clipping
and slashing and improving a new play is
something tremendous. I am just back. you
see, from the theater. and am really too
tired to go out, though am so eager to pay
visit to that dear little art gallery dropped
down over there in grove of trees. Not
open? All. that is too bad. I wanted to see
your copy of Watts Love and Life to
compare II with mine.
Yes, indeed" she went on, noticing that
certain eyes na0 fastened upon q 1eWeled
fan that lay on the table that is the little
black fan l carry In the third act. Ny maid
has just mended it. You have no idea Of
the wreckage to nerves, temper and fnery
first night Do you recall in the third
act when 1 leave the front and join the
gamblers at the table? Well, last night, di.
rectly / got in the midst OF them, a horrid
supernumerary trod on my gown and tore
1t outrageously. Apparently Mr.. Morgan has
a monopoly of fervid execraton throughout
the play. In fact, it has been rather a
joke among US, the very humanity natural
way he swears, but when | heard my pink
gown tearing [ really am not certain that
l did not borrow from Mr.. Morgan's lines.
You didn't happen to hear any very bad
word out in front. did you, when called to
that man to step off my trainI"
Miss De Wolfe stopped to execute a mus
steal scale of laughter.
do you really like Washington so
much?" some one asked.
oh indeed 1 do, and already l feel at
home. 1t is the most beautiful city In
America. You see, my father was here for
several weeks in the spring, just before he
died. My daddy and L were great friends
great chums."
Miss De Wolfes eyes filed with tears at
the mention of her father On a table
were several photographs of an extremely
handsome man. The two faces were mar
velously alike, and all at once the girlish
actress, in simple black walking gown and
crepe turban, became an appealing little
figure of sorrow that one longed to comfort,
There were but two touches of color in evis
dence, the deep burnish of her abundant
hair-like sunlight on brown beeches-and
one ring set with an enormous turquoise,
Miss De Wolfe's taiisman stone. Later the
maid appeared with a dainty neglige and
besought her mistress to lay aside her
heavier clothes and the change to silk and
lace effected an immediate change of mood.
Miss De Wolfe is the embodiment of
youth, and looks eighteen rather than twen-
ty-three. 1t is difficult to credit that in pri-
vate life she is Mrs. De Wolfe. and that at
her charming home in New York there is a
little son, whom his mother calls JacQue
and upon whom she lavishes all the affec-
ton of her ardent nature.
Theater-goers recall the debut of this gift
ed young actress only few years ago in
Mrs. Osborne's playhouse and her catchy
song that was whistled for months on
Broadway. Chartran painted an exquisite
portrait of her, sort of lavender symphony
in art, that is altogether charming. Before
her marriage she was Drina Waters, and
her people lived originally in St. Louis. Last
winter her grandmother and her uncle's
family resided in Washington. occupying q
house in the northwestern section. The
family pride has never been consoled for
Miss De Wolfe's adoption of the stage soon
after her social debut. She will not always
essay the Helga roles. but in the meantime
Helga is good artistic schooling, IL she doe6
happen to be rather disagreeable person.
age