The Washington herald., 1908-03-05
APPEARS IN TWO ROLES.
Olga Nethersose Gives Intellectual
Treats i'm New Plays.

dRFEhho IN lWU RULED.
olga Nethersose Gives Intellectual
Treats in New Plays.
Olga Nethersole appeared last night at
the New National Theater in two roles
in which she is new TO Washington
audiences-asf Media. in Charles Brook
fields dramatic version of Il Pagiiacci, -
and as 'GiseIle de Gourgiran. in Paul
Hervieus two-act play, The Enigma $
'rhe fact that yesterday was Ash We'd
nesdsy had visible effect upon the at
tendance. but. those who might otherwise
have been present missed one of the intel
iectual treats OF the engagement.
i Pagliaccf' as drama proved a most
agreeable entertainment Why this tragic
gem escaped the stage in play form up
70 the present seems hard TO explain.
The popularity of Leoncsvallo's opera is
based upon the vivid contrast between
Tragedy and comedy which the story OF
simple italian peasant life portrays.
Ihere IS iifeume Of passionate love and
nate Jealousy and revenge worked out in
this miniature Of the stage The author
OF this version I'm English has provided
MS characters with such expressive and
dignifed lines that there seems to be
lost in the translation none Of the atmos-
phere which is the charm Of the original.
In Media. Miss NethersoIe has added a
fne character 70 her varied repertoire.
The part is made suggestive Of her Car
men, which, by many. is considered her
greatest role-yet there is the woman
rather than the ransgressor in Media,
who wants to be allowed 10 live and love
regardless of the convenances and the
right Miss NethersOle fits this role won
derfully-to those TO whom Media is a
tradition perhaps ii may occur that she
dwells too much upon the tragic side of
the character but. after all. Nedda's life
is tragedy from the beginning. and the
dramatic rendering OF the role. stripped
OF the softening effects gained by music.
is far more difficult TO bring forth with
conviction than the Media suggested by
the operate score and libretto.
There is a terrible scene of Media being
swept onward, struggling and resisting
20 her inexorable doom Miss NethersoIe's s
reading was artistic and splendid.
As prologue and epilogue 20 "I Pag-
liacci' Miss Nethersole made an inno-
vation which added greatly TO the effect
OF the play Mr.. Mills as Tonic completely
sunk his personality. but gave striking
and finished performance. The Canio OF
MI Beimore also was a dramatic effort
worthy OF the highest praise.
me Enigma. supposedly produced by
MISS Nethersole as a curiosity. will not
add to her fame. because It presents no
opportunity whereby she is able 10 make
the slightest impression upon her audi
ence. The only effect produced from the
French psychological drama. its charac-
ters. and situations appear strained and
unnatural TO American ears and eyes. II
Is very difficult TO transpose the domestic
relations Of the French or other foreign
ers into sympathy with our people gen.
orally II is this that causes Ibsen 20 fail
70 convince the ordinary mind.
The story OF The Enigma"-original 81
you Willis briefly that Of two brothers
married and living together in French
chateau with their wives. Both maintain
that stern and unrelenting attitude to-
ward their honor, which is the principal
asset Of the foreign aristocrat. Into the
lives OF this quartet creeps lover. and
in the revelation which ensues both wives
seem to be implicated. The suspicious Of
both husbands are aroused. and Il is not
until the shot which announces the
lovers suicide that the guilty one OF the
two suspected wives is discovered The
situation is extremely novel, though IN
pleasantly handled. and the suspense is
well maintained up 20 the unexpected de-
nouement. but. lacking direct action and
being stilted IN language. Il cannot be
classed among the really great plays
from Paul Hervieu's pen.
Nor does the character of Giselle pre-
sent any new light in which the genius
OF Olga Nethersole may be shown. Il is
a mere fragment OF any other Of her
brilliant roles-say. Paula or Camille
but there is 10 chance for the display of
any emotional power or dramatic force.
Mr.. Mills plays the lover in his usual
quiet way, but the absurd unnaturalncss
OF the role must have had its effect upon
him. for he was negative throughout. Mr..
Stevenson had an argumentative role, IN
the man who tries 10 preserve the family
peace. as well as its honor. and Mr.. Bel
more and Mr. Frank appeared as the two
stony and unyielding husbands.
The overture 10 Leoncavallo's Il
Pagliacci" and several phrases from the
score OF the opera added greatly to the
evenings performance
The double bill viii be repeated to-
night. but on Friday evening and at the
Saturday matinee Miss Nethersole Will
appear rs Sapho, and on Saturday even
ing, for the only time, as Carmen. .