S. R. 1637, Nov. 28 (Weekes). ‘A Comedie called A Shoomaker is a gentleman with the life and death of the Criple that stole the weather cocke of Pauls, by William Rowley.’ John Okes (Arber, iv. 400).
1638. A Merrie and Pleasant Comedy: Never before Printed, called A Shoomaker a Gentleman. As it hath beene sundry Times Acted at the Red Bull and other Theatres, with a general and good Applause. Written by W. R. Gentleman. I. Okes, sold by Iohn Cooper. [Epistle by Printer to Gentlemen of the Gentle Craft.]
Edition by C. W. Stork (1910).
The epistle says that the play was still often acted, and ‘as Plaies were then, some twenty yeares agone, it was in the fashion’. This dating and the mention of the Red Bull justify us in regarding it as an early play for Queen Anne’s men.
A New Wonder, A Woman Never Vexed (?)
S. R. 1631, Nov. 24 (Herbert). ‘A booke called A new wonder or a woman neuer vext (a Comedy) by William Rowley.’ Constable (Arber, iv. 266).
1632. A new Wonder, A Woman never vext. A pleasant conceited Comedy: sundry times Acted: never before printed. Written by William Rowley, one of his Maiesties Servants. G. P. for Francis Constable.
Fleay, ii, 102, and Greg (H. ii. 177) suggest revision by Rowley of the Admiral’s Wonder of a Woman (1595), perhaps by Heywood (q.v.); Stork, 26, early work for Queen Anne’s men, under Heywood’s influence.
A Match at Midnight (?)
S. R. 1633, Jan. 15 (Herbert). ‘A Play called A Match at midnight.’ William Sheares (Arber, iv. 291).