The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-21
PLAYER AND MANAGER.
bliss NethersOIe One of the Few Wo-
men Who Combines Both Traits.

~ NJ NDA-A nVAA
Miss Olga Nethersole. who begins an
engagement this week at the New Ma
tional Theater, is one of the few women
now playing to-day who combines the
functions of actress. producer, and mana
ger. Mrs. Kendall used 10 do this. but
she was always assisted by her husband.
and Mrs. Patrick Campbell tried it for
while, but the strain proved too great
for her. In this country probably the
only woman who has tried it alone has
been Amelia Bingham. a1d she never
made quite a success of il. Miss Neither
sole is the daughter of a London lawyer:
her neither was Spanish. Her parents
were NOT wealthy. but they gave her an
excellent educa ton. She studied in Paris.
and she speaks French as fuently as she
does English; so nuently in fact. that she
proposes to give a series Of performances
in Paris next season. heading q company
of French artists. Italian she has ac-
quired, and she learned Spanish from her
mother,
She was not educated for the stage, for
at the age Of seventeen she was teach
ing as a governess in one of the middle
class families of London. She had been
especially engaged az a teacher Of French
and Of music-fOr music is an art Of
which she is master. and which she uses
10 considerable effect in some of her plays
Like many successful actresses. she
went to the professional stage from the
ranks OF the amateur. Charles Hawtry
saw her in an amateur performance and
at once engaged her, and she Joined his
company in the first production of the
comedy drama Harvest" produced at
Brighton in the autumn of 1887.
A London critic who happened to be
travelling in the provinces saw the per
Torrance of Harvest" and upon his re
turn to London he wrote "a glowing trib-
ute OF the work of this unknown actress
predicting that within six months she
would be occupying her rightful place as
a leading player IN q London theater.
This remarkable tribute to an unknown
girl led several London managers to make
trips into the provinces to see her, and
she had three offers in as many weeks.
She finally accepted an offer to play with
John Hare at the Garrick Theater Lon
don. and here. the following year. she
made her London debut
Miss Nethersole's first work with Mr.
Hare was the creation of the leading
feminine role in the first production of
Pinero's THE Prohigate" Mr.. Pinero
saw her work, and It was at this period
that he wrote the play The Second Mrs.
Tanqueray," with her in mind for the
role of Paula. Mr. John Hare, however.
declined to accept the play. and II was
produced by Mr. George Alexander. with
Mrs. Patrick Campbell as Paula.
While Miss NethesOle was with Mr..
Hare her work was noticed by Mr. J. c.
Williamson, the prominent Australian
manager, who took her 20 Australia for
ten weeks tour. She remained ten
months She returned to England 10
appear in 1898 with Mr.. Hare in 'Diplo-
macy, in which she played the role of
Countess Zicka. The present King, then
Prince of Wales. was in the audience
that night aud summoned Miss Nthersole
10 the royal box, where he complimented
her and asked If she had studied at the
COnseryatOire IN Paris Miss NethersoIe
Informed him that she had not as she
was proud 10 say she was an English
woman, but that she felt his royal high
ness had paid her great compliment
he replied that he meant Il as such
Miss Nethersole next appeared in sgd
ney Grundy's play, "A Fools Paradise.