Scholar says he found Shakespeare’s ‘lost’ play

A view of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England, where William Shakespeare was baptized and buried. The churchi is seeking money to keep a roof over the bard's grave.

A scholar says a play attributed to an 18th century playwright is probably the work of William Shakespeare.

University of Nottingham professor Brean Hammond says he can see the Shakespearean DNA in the play “Double Falsehood.” He’s been studying the work since 2002.

The work was written by Lewis Theobald, who had said he based his play on “Cardenio,” Shakespeare’s lost work. After it debuted on stage in 1727, few believed it was the work of the Bard and considered it a literary hoax.

Prof. Hammond said on Tuesday he’s quite certain “Double Falsehood” was born out of “Cardenio.”

Arden, the publisher of all Shakespeare’s works, has released an edition of the play, edited by Prof. Hammond.