Lost Plays Database

Created by the University of Melbourne, 2009

https://lostplays.folger.edu/Main_Page

This is a collection of plays in England from the late 1500s to the mid 1600s. Specifically, this database combines information from various sources during this time period to make a list of plays that have been lost to history. It has a “wiki” comprised of the list of plays, and these plays can be sorted by the year, title, Dramatists (playwright), Auspices (venues and theatre companies), as well as category tags and documents. This source allows users to browse various plays and documents surrounding these plays to gain a better understanding of live theatre during this time period. The pages describing each play include a table of contents, any historical records that mention the play, a description of where the play was performed, what the play’s genre is, a summary of the play, references that other works have made to this play, any reviews of the play from those who saw it, and a works cited section. - Olivia Nicolazzo

In order to use this site, a person should know the basics of navigating a database, including how to use a “table of contents” to find what they are looking for, how to sort their results, and how to understand the results they find. If a person is looking for a specific play, they should know the title, author, and/or the date of the play. If a person is given editing permission, they should be familiar with editing Wikipedia pages.

While the site has a “works cited” page to catalogue their sources, it does not appear that there is a more extensive database of lost plays from this time period.

As previously mentioned, one should learn how to navigate a database before using this project. One should also know that while this site is described as a "wiki", potential editors need to apply and be approved in order to edit the pages, unlike a regular Wikipedia page. This means that the sources on the database have been vetted by the website's staff, and are most likely accurate.