Reforging Shakespeare

the story of a theatrical scandal

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Reforging Shakespeare charts the bizarre but true story of William-Henry Ireland, a 17-year-old boy who fooled the academic and theatrical world with his Shakespeare forgeries. At first the forgeries were mundane: legal papers, promissory notes, mortgage deeds, but as each was unquestioningly validated, Ireland grew more bold and bizarre. He "found" Shakespeare's lost poems, significantly different versions of Hamlet and King Lear, love letters to his wife, even a lock of Shakespeare's hair! But boldest of all was his "discovery" of a lost play, Vortigern. Theatre Royal Drury Lane offered a lucrative contract for its world premiere. The Duke of Clarence engaged a box; the poet laureate wrote the prologue. Supporters filled the house to ensure a positive reception, but as the curtain went up, no one could suspect the disaster that was to ensue.