New Evidence Suggests that Shakespeare’s Plays Were Never Actually Written at All

London – Adding fresh fuel to the long-running argument over the true authorship of the Elizabethan plays attributed to William Shakespeare, a newly published article in the Shakespeare Quarterly argues that the plays were, in fact, never written at all.

"New evidence," the report concludes,"forces us to re-evaluate the authorship of these prestigious works, ultimately concluding that there is no authorship at all."

The bold claims were immediately refuted by various Shakespeare scholars, pointing to counter evidence that the plays were indeed written and by the famed English playwright. Others contend that at least some plays were attributable to contemporary authors or even Queen Elizabeth herself.

Sir Jon Bracklebridge, one of the reports authors, declined to address these arguments, stating that the essay speaks for itself, and its conclusions are "nigh irrefutable."

William Shakespeare, having died in 1616, could not be reached for comment.