Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-26
DIDN'T LIKE GHOSTS"

l s.+ Editor of Democrat:
 ssrhe Ghost walked''-and talked at Polls last night when Mary Shaw and her company presented what the press agents call 4tthe masterpiece or Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian author If this play be his masterpiece, may the Lord deliver us from ever having to witness his mediocrity. Perhaps we are not sufficiently educated to ap- preciate his genius, but when genius consists of concocting play that hinges on the necessity of boy being made acquainted with the sins of hs. father, then we are willing to remain in the shades of ignorance ands to leave MT Ibsen to the worship of the "Bostonese. z We country folk would say that ssGhosts' is morbid and un- healthy, and Is not even redeemed by pointing a moral. It does, however, give us picture of mothers love, which is beautifully drawn by Mary Shaw. Her sending her boy away from evil influences, even though it rends her heart to part with him, her joy at his return, and her agony at his aff1iction, are all very touching, and by Miss Shaw. very convincing. She is good decidedly good but Messrs Flaw cett and Brennan might be in better business than sending her out in such piece. Given proper vehicle, she could be charming. She does not even get chance to change her gown in Ghosts" ]" and. with that mop of love ly hair, good figure, and expressive hands she would be a delight to the eye in elegant lingerie and things. Last night almost forgot her gown (the skirt was not quite right in the back watching her face. Every shade of emotion was expressed, but let us pray that when she next visits Waterbury we will have a chance to see her smile more than twice
 Mr Lewis, who played the "son,e was also good in a part hard to make understan Just why a young man should plunge into all sorts of dis sipations because some fool doctor told him he had gay ancestors is beyond me. Of course, 1t is good thing to live up to the reputation of ones family, but there is limit
 Then the stalky'' parson of the play. He was so se1f-satisfed that he could not hold a wrong opinion-what an awakening he got-but he was far too gullible to- be picture of our up-to- date. wfde-awake clergy. MT WiIkin- son did the parson very creditably. but It was hard to catch all his words. The character of the pert maid by Virginia Kline was we'll done, and MT Cav. as the man with the damaged leg,, and beguflfng tongue did good bit of char acteg acting.
 Of the play itself, as said before. it 's unnealthy. There is no excuse for IT ft presented some phase of abuea m public life which might be correct- ed by exposing it's evils, we could saa !. une good of presenting 1t to arouse pub- nc sentiment. But when 1t simply teMs of the evil effects of one mans life 1t makes us think of exposing sore to the gaze of the public
 It IS dramatic at times. but if is too ull Of talk. with hardly enough actdon But how the Ghost does rattle his bones edeefully at times. There are lew clever sayings in 1t. such as "Ha was a man whose character did not af- feet his. reputation,'' which wou1f7 ha dangerous to take as a guide because we have an antidote in f'You can'+ fool all of the people all of the time"
 And so 'sGhosts' is Ibsen's master piece! We'll, may heaven defend us from all ''sichp'
 SPECTATOR.