The Second Maiden's Tragedy

The Second Maiden's Tragedy The Apocryphal Shakespeare Company will be presenting a dramatic reading of The Second Maiden's Tragedy at the Mabel Kay Senior Center on Sunday November 8th at 2:00pm, admission is free! Only a single manuscript copy of The Second Maiden’s Tragedy survives from the Jacobean period. The manuscript does not tell us the name of the author, or even the name of the play. Sir George Buc, Master of the Revels for King James I (and by way of censorship the play’s first editor) scribbled The Second Maiden’s Tragedy on the back cover because he didn’t know what else to call it. He also approved the play, with his changes, for public performance by Shakespeare’s company, The King’s Men. Over the years as the manuscript moved from owner to owner the names of possible authors were written on the back cover. Those names include Thomas Goffe, George Chapman, and William Shakespeare. Authorship by Goffe or Chapman has long been rejected. However, to this day there are supporters of Shakespeare’s authorship. Most famously Charles Hamilton argues that The Second Maiden’s Tragedy is actually Shakespeare’s lost play Cardenio. He supports his conclusions in large part through handwriting analysis. Since the 21st Century most scholars agree that Thomas Middleton is the probable author. Full of murder, lust, and intrigue, The Second Maiden’s Tragedy is a great fit for Halloween with ghosts, skeletons, and even some walking dead!!! This play is rarely performed; so, if you would like to see it live and on stage, don’t miss this chance! Please mark your calendars and come out and join us. Admission is free!!!