She began at age 21 to appear in musical comedy, later joining
Ben Greet's company, playing leading parts in
The Three Musketeers and
Money. Matthison specialized in Shakespeare and classic drama almost from the start of her career. She was acting in the same play,
The Merchant of Venice, with Sir
Henry Irving the night he died. Irving nearly died in Matthison's arms. She appeared in Greek and mystery plays, old English comedies, and modern plays. In the United States in 1904 she appeared in Goldsmith's
She Stoops to Conquer. ==Personal life==