The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-23

The Sew NafionaI-OIga Neither.
sole In Clyde Fffeh's "SaDho."

The Nevv NafionaI-OIga Neither
sole in Clyde Fifch's "SaDho."
A large audience gathered at the New
National Theater last night 70 see Olga
Nethersole and her London company
open the weeks engagement in roper
! tory. The play last night was Clyde
Ftch's four-act drama, made from Al
| phonse Daudet's wonderful story OF
'sapho" II is with this play that Miss
| Nethersoles fame as an artist Of high
rank Is Immediately associated in the
American mind. for it was In this pls y
| that she first attracted wide attention
At first, Il was unpleasant attention. but
gradually the real merits OF the play be-
come recognized, as well as the sterling
qualities of Miss Nethersole as an actress.
"Sapho" deals with a side OF life that
! is not familar-exeept IN plays, perhaps
to the average theatergoer. But it is a
true side, nevertheless. and though It's
heroine is a woman who has sinned much
and loved greatly, the play emphasizes
what Daudets story showed. that In spite
Of sin and love and the underworld, the
eternal feminine qualities that have. since
A4tF WI III nrehtlf 4+NAbtA ~ 4HAsf AiAEA "
the heights, still persist and cannot be
subdUed. The fine mother feeling that Is
in the heart Of every woman Is found
here, and in spite Of all that Fanny lie
Grand has experienced-in spite OF Deche-
ette, in spite Of Flamant. in spite of
Caoudal, in spite Of the fresh country lad.
Jean Gaussin-she is 70 the very end a
true. loving woman, capable OF great sac
rihce.
For Daudet and Fitch. too. make It won
derfully clear that saph0 is not d sinner
by choice. What she Is she has become
by drifting. First one man, then another
they are all beasts" she says. The
fault has never been wholly hers. II she
has sinned il is because there was al
ways helping hand along the primrose
path. When she meets Jean. and he loves
her. she cannot bear 10 tell him Of the
past. Fain would she be as innocent as he.
When, afterward. he begins 10 find out.
and says: you seem 10 have had ten eX-
istences, and I knew nothing of any Of
them"
My dear" she answers. aud the an
swer is sincere, Il just began 10 live
when I first met YOU
In spite OF al thar had gone before the
real woman in Fanny lie Grand had never
had a chance 90 awake Jean, had he been
q stronger, more loving man, could have
nodded this soul to his will and she could
have helDed him 10 be great. But the
preciplces she trod with steady head
made him glddy; he feared always, IL
seemed. 10 fall, and thought with timid
longing of the old country home and his
country sweetheart, Irene.
The play shows those who see Il that
the choice is fer US all 20 make. II shows
the contrast between worldly wisdom and /
innocent homeliness-the clear face OF /
youth and honesty and mild happiness, /
against the world and the flesh and the /
devil On one side. living for the future, /
but on a lower plane; on the other side /
striving for the heights and battling with /
the pleasures Of the world. the joys Of the /
deeting to-day; as Sapho says, Dead Sea /
FRUIT"
1t is a strong play and an interesting
one; a play 20 make one think. Play
that lets the audience see for a time the 4
very hearts Of men and women who love 4
not wisely, but too we'll
In the part Of Fanny lie Grand. Miss 4
Olga Nethers0le does some marvellous act
ing. Impressive always, deeply emotional; 1
y
has the power Of ma ing her audience /
feel with her: ache 20 revenge her !
wrongs. Injured and fighting for her
very soul. she IS tiserish in her rage;
and pleading with all her
heart she moves every one 10 intensest
sympathy. There was a world of pathos /
in the scene between herself and Jean
tMr. Frank Mlls). What a lifer' he
cries, as they clash, in one OF their quar-
rels, and meaning 10 reproach her with
her past.
DO you think choose it?'' she almost
Il is the agony Of being so bru-
tally misunderstood. Throughout the play
Miss NethersOle WAS finely consistent and
true. and her performance was an artis-
tie treat AS we'll as powerful lesson.
Miss Nethersole's support this year Is
excellent Mr.. Frank Mills. her leading
man, IS . handsome man with great per-