"[2] The New York Times noted that "while The Shawl does not pretend at realism - Mr. Mamet has called it my 'Twilight Zone' episode - it must convince the audience that an educated, middle-class woman would put her faith into a mind reader.
And the psychic himself is not some gypsy in paisley but a middle-aged man who is worried about losing his young, homosexual lover.
Directed by Gregory Mosher, the cast featured Mike Nussbaum as John, Lindsay Crouse as Miss A and Gary Cole as Charles .
[3] The Shawl was produced Off-Broadway at the Lincoln Center Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, opening on December 23, 1985, and closing on February 2, 1986, after 48 performances.
[4] Directed by Mosher, the cast featured Mike Nussbaum as John, Lindsay Crouse as Miss A and Calvin Levels as Charles.
The production was directed by Richard Eyre with David de Keyser as John, Connie Booth as Miss A and Michael Feast as Charles.
[6] Directed by Amelia Nicholson, the cast featured Matthew Marsh, Elizabeth McGovern as Miss A. and Paul Rattray.
Although John uses techniques of a questionable nature, he shows a more caring side towards his clients, whereas Charles is driven more by greed and ambition and is willing to compromise the ethics of the profession.
In discussing the details of the plan, Charles pressures John into making it look like Miss A's mother will want to contest the will and give the inheritance to them.