In May 2026 The Arden Shakespeare, widely regarded as setting the ‘gold standard’ for scholarly editions of Shakespeare’s oeuvre, will publish the first volumes of its new Fourth Series. These new editions will offer fresh insights into Shakespeare’s extraordinary output to new generations of readers, students and performers, as well as to those who are already familiar with his works.
We are delighted that Dr José Perez Diez, Associate Professor of Early Modern Drama in the School of English at the University of Leeds, who is editing the new edition of King John, has accepted our invitation to deliver a lecture on the art and craft of editing Shakespeare’s works and how this can enhance our own appreciation and understanding of his words and ideas.
Following the lecture there will be a panel discussion, chaired by London Literary Salon facilitator Tim Swinglehurst, with colleagues Julie Sutherland and Jane Wymark, chaired by Tim Swinglehurst with opportunities for questions and comments from participants to gain greater insight into the process, challenges and rewards of attentive editing and reading.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:
Dr José A. Pérez Díez is Associate Professor of Early Modern Drama in the School of English at the University of Leeds. He currently serves as the Joint Chair of the British Shakespeare Association, and is a General Editor of The Revels Plays and the Associate Editor of the Oxford Complete Works of John Marston. He is editing the King John volume for the new Arden Shakespeare series.
JOINING DETAILS:
Wednesday 17 June 2026, 6.00-8.00 pm (UK time), live on Zoom
Lecture by Dr José Pérez Díez lasting approximately 55 minutes, followed by panel discussion chaired by Tim Swinglehurst, with Jane Wymark and Dr Julie Sutherland and questions and comments from participants.