# Elsa Doland — The Adventures of Sally character guide

> Elsa Doland in The Adventures of Sally by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Elsa, Doland, the absent Elsa

**First appearance:** 0000-i-sally-gives-a-party

## Snapshot

A rising actress whose discerning praise of Gerald's plays once lent them prestige, and whose taste haunts the casting decisions that follow.

## Who they are

Elsa Doland is the actress whose admiration for Gerald's work, especially The Primrose Way, once gave Sally hope that his talent would find its proper stage. She is the standard of cleverness against which the eventual leading lady, Mabel Hobson, falls disastrously short. Though absent, her judgment lingers as a quiet rebuke to the compromises Gerald makes in chasing a Broadway production.

## Relationships

### [Sally Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/characters/sally_nicholas)

_friendship_

Elsa is a friend and confidante to Sally, sharing in her adventures and offering a sympathetic ear.

### [Sally Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/characters/sally_nicholas)

_friendship_

Elsa is a friend and confidante to Sally, sharing in her adventures and offering a sympathetic ear.

### [Sally Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/characters/sally_nicholas)

_friendship_

Elsa is a friend and confidante to Sally, sharing in her adventures and offering a sympathetic ear.

## In the story

### [I: Sally Gives a Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/i-sally-gives-a-party)

A friend of Sally's, jokes about being broke, but reveals she has saved money from touring.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/i)

A friend at the party, jokes about being broke, suggests buying a theatre, and is comforted by Sally.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/iii)

Elsa is mentioned as an admirer of Gerald's plays, whose opinion Sally values, and who had been excited about the part of Ruth.

### [V: Sally Hears News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/v-sally-hears-news)

Mentioned as being in Gerald's play company and having gone to Detroit for the tryout.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/ii)

Plays a scene on stage, reading a magazine placidly during the disputes.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/iii)

Remains detached during the argument and greets Sally when she arrives.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/i)

Her performance in The Primrose Way is praised, and she is hailed as a coming star.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/iii)

Identified as the woman Gerald Foster has married.

### [XI: Sally Runs Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/xi-sally-runs-away)

Mentioned as a rival; Sally reflects on Elsa's success and her own inadequacy.

### [XIV: Mr. Abrahams Re-Engages an Old Employee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/xiv-mr-abrahams-re-engages-an-old-employee)

Leaves The Primrose Way to sign with Goble and Cohn, breaking her contract. Her marriage to Gerald Foster has also collapsed.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as having left the show and her husband, causing Sally's financial loss and emotional distress.

### [XVII: Sally Lays a Ghost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/xvii-sally-lays-a-ghost)

Though absent, Elsa's apartment and belongings are the target of Gerald's destructive outburst, highlighting her role in the conflict.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/chapters/ii)

Absent but her apartment is the scene of Gerald's destruction; her taste in decor is described.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/characters/elsa_doland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventures_of_sally_se/characters