The Eternal City
Later described as "a squatter who took to the stage for the love of a lady", Osborne made his stage debut (as "Nott Osborne"), at the last moment, in the role of Major Doria — Maud Jeffries was playing the part of Donna Romana Volonna — in a performance of "The Eternal City" (adapted for the stage from Hall Caine's novel of the same name), at Her Majesty's Theatre on 23 January 1904: "Mention may be made of Mr Nott Osborne as Major Doria (Governor of St Angelo), who, in making a promising stage debut, though obviously nervous over the first few words, displayed a pleasant voice and manner."