The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-12
WONDERFUL ACTING
Of MISS MARY SHAW
Washington Critics Carried Away
by Her Splendid Presenta-
ton of Mrs, AIving.

Mr. George Fawcett, the actor manager.
Of Baltimore, who has frequently been
seen in this city, has just produced the
matinee at the Columbia Theatre. in
Washington, with Miss Mary Shaw in the
principal parts. SO great was the sue
cess OF the individual effort that it is
probable Manager Fawcett will present
Miss Shaw and this third Fawcett Com
pany in New York city for a series OF
matinees Miss Shaw is well known
here as the feature OF enc Of the raw
cett companies, indeed, the company or
which She is q member returns to this
city en- next Monday for an engagement
at the Bijou-therefore the following ex-
tracts from a criticism in the Washing
ton Post are Of direct interest:
Miss Mary Shaw, supported by the
George Fawcett Company, of Baltimore.
gave a special matinee performance at
the Columbia Theatre yesterday OF ID
sens Ghosts
In the portrayal of the leading part
Miss Shaw manifested q power and Il
her an extraordinary actress. an artist
who should not be suffered a second time
to come and go without arouslnS that
interest which Is due her as q woman or
really superior intellectual and temper
amental gifts. The role calls for great
repression. Pitched IL any other than an
extremely low key OF dramatic eE-
preston. the part would lose It's wonder
full charm Miss Shaw played it with
ueturalness of manner and in a resonant
voice of nodulated intensity that brought
out the salient characteristics OF the
story with thrilling effect.
Most admirable in her work IS the
great repression coupled with the great
latent force Of which she IS capable.
Every shade OF emotionalsm was clearly
marked, yet she touched the sonber
elements OF the tragic role with such
de!:cacy that, while doing full justice 70
the spirit. she rather lightened than bur-
dened the natural gloom of the story
Fer effective uaturalneSs nothing could
have been finer than the scene III which
she opens the pastors eyes to the true
inwardness OF her married life, nor could
ANYTHING have been more naturally por-
trayed than the terror and grief in the
intense scenes with her son. where Os-
valid re,.eals to his mother the secret or
the impending maiady that is destined to
destroy him. Even IN the final scene.
where the distracted woman discovers
that insanity has already shattered her
sons mind her actins was a revelation
of well restrained force in the expression
Of unspeakable grief Throughout her
work was impressive. finished and natu-
ral and therefore artistic, and her Mrs.
Alying must be accounted one OF the
best character creations on the conterl-
porary stage.
While the cast was small. it was In 4
high degree efficient AR. Frederick
Lewis as Oswald Alvins. the son. gave
performance that will be remembered
side by side with the part OF the mother
of Miss Shaw. Judging him by his work
in this role he IS = young actor who can
look confidently to the future. He PLAYED!
tha part with remarkable force. The
scenes in the third act with his mother,
IN which he tells her OF the dreadful,
haunting fear that dogs him. and finally
where he makes her promise that when
the light of reason shall be extingulshed
in his brain she Will administer the NOR
phne pills to hin, to put an end to all.
his acting was graphic without once de-
generating to rant or defamation
It is possible that later in the season
Miss Shaw will be seen in performance
OF Ghosts in this city. for special
matinee.