Summary
Session 3: Workshop (1) Six New Plays
(22 September 2009)
Participants discussed how the textual introduction to Six New Plays would be
structured in the first instance. Six New Plays includes The Brothers, The Sisters, The
Doubtful Heir, The Imposture, The Cardinal, and The Court Secret, all of which
appeared in print for the first time in 1653 when it was published.
A possible solution that they reached was that six contributors would write a textual
introduction up to 4,000 words to the single play which they are editing, and that they
would share the work of finishing a 6,000 words textual introduction to Six New Plays.
Three contributors to this edition went on discussing how to divide the textual topics
amongst themselves. As to the shared printing, Alison Searle and Rebecca Yearling will
investigate on the printer Thomas Warren, while Chiaki Hanabusa will examine on the
second printer William Wilson. Yearling is expected to discuss the portrait of James
Shirley on the initial page, and Hanabusa to discuss advertisements attached at the
end of the book and elsewhere. Where to place this introduction in the edition remains
unsolved.
The leader is grateful to Eva Griffith, Justine Williams, and Andrew Hadfield for their
helpful comments, suggestions, and advice.
(198 words)