Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-12
MISS SHAW IN "GHOsTs."
Sensation Created in Washington b.,
George FaNcctt7a Leading Woman.

One of the principal sensations Of the
Washington theatric season developed
there in a most unexpected quarter. t
came about on the presentation in that
city. at :, special matinee. l,y the George
Fawcett Company, or rather Part Of it
OF Ilsen's powerful play. Ghosts with
Miss Mary Shaw in the principal part;
So great was the success CT !he play that
it is possible Manager FaW.ctt vii! send
this Ghosts company to New York city
for series of matinees at the principal
Speaking of the performance of
Ghosts the Washington Post, in par..
says:
IN the portrayal of the leading part
Miss Shaw manifested a mower and a
breadth OF artistic perception that stamps
her an extraordinary actress artist
who should not be suffered second time
to come and go without aCousinG that
interest which is due her as 4 woman of
really superior intellectual! and temper
amental gifts. The role calls for great
repression. Pitched in any other than an
extremely low key of dramatic expression
the part would lose its wonderful charm
Miss Shaw played it with a naturalneSS
of manner and in Il resonant voice OF
moduated intensity that brought out the
salient cha racterlSticS of the story with
thrilling effect
Most admirable in her work is the
great repression, coupIed with the great
latent force of which she is capable.
Every shade of enotionalism was clear
iy marked. yet she touched the somber
elements OF the tragic role with such
delicacy that, while doing full Justice to
the spirit. she rather lightened than bur
dened the natural gloom of the story:
For effective naluralness nothing could
have been finer the,p the scene in which
she opens the pastors eyes to the true
inwardncSs OF her married life, nor could
anything have been more naturally POI
trayed than the terror and grief in the
intense scenes with her son. where Os-
valid reveals to his mother the secret u
destroy him. Even III the final scene
where the distracted woman discovers
that insanity has already shattered her
sons mind. her acting was revelation
of unspeakable grief Throughout her
work was impressive. finished. and natu-
raj. and therefore artistic. and her Mrs
Alvng must be accounted one Of the
best character creators on the cOntem-
porarv StIge.
while the cast was small. it was in
high decree efficient. Mr.. Frederick
Lewis as Oswald Aving. the son. gave 4
by side with the part of the mother Of
Miss Shaw JudsHs. him by his work in
this role. he is young actor who can
look confidently to the future: re pla ,i;1,1
scenes in the third &C. with his mother
in which he tells he: of the dreadful
haunting fear that dogs him. and finally
where he maees her promise that when
the light OF reaso,, shall be extinguished
in his br:,! she will administer the NOR
phine pills to hin to ;sut IN end to all
his acting was sr2nhic without once de-
generating to rant or defamation:
On several occa SONS Mir. Fawcett has
presented Miss .Si'aw in this city, and
next wee: the mpony. OF which she
is q men ber rA',!rn here. Iheodora
has thus far been her most ambitious
effort in Richmond. but it may be de-
cded to ut on ,2hos,s'' here at a spc-
cal matinee somc tine III the near fu