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==What is the Lost Plays Database?==
The Lost Plays Database is a wiki-style forum for scholars to share information about lost plays in England, 1570-1642. Its purpose is to add lost plays to scholarly discussions of early modern theatrical activity.
The editors believe that lost plays are a potential source of significant information on playwrights, playing companies, venues in London and the provinces, repertory studies, and audiences. The database provides a web-accessible, web-editable site for data on these plays concerning theatrical provenance, sources, genre, and authorship.
Users of the Lost Plays Database will find information drawn from the following, as applicable:
- Stationers' Register
- Henslowe's Diary
- Legal records
- Narrative and dramatic sources
- Scholarly commentary
- Online databases and digital archives
Unlike many public wikis, the Lost Plays Database is not open to public editing: for quality control, potential contributors must apply to the editors for contributing privileges (see How to Contribute).