NETHERSOLE, OLGA

(1866-1951)

Olga Isabella Nethersole was born in London, England. Although the actress-producer remained a British citizen, she was well-known on the American stage from 1894. In addition to her many starring roles on Broadway, she toured widely, often scandalizing middle Americans with portrayals of less-than-respectable women in plays likeThe Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith(1895),Carmenin 1896,ClydeFitch'sSapho(1900),Magdain 1906, andMary Magdalenein 1910.Kansas City StarcriticAustin Latchaw(Star, 20 June 1935) recalled of her "tropical love-making" on stage that "Nethersole respected no traditions when she believed she was delineating a character truthfully. She gave Carmen a very bad reputation before she got through with her. It was the same inSapho. . . . When she first acted the role in New York, she was arrested and prosecuted for giving an immoral play. A jury of twelve men not only acquitted her, but sent her a special exoneration, signed by all of them."

See alsocensorship; sexuality on the American Stage.