The next play on on my list is the The Sociable Companions, and this note from the several prefaces to her 1662 Collection Playes is such a good reminder to me (and anyone who reads plays) to slow down, to read aloud, to really allow the plays to speak through you, in the absence of actors who can speak them to you...
I must trouble my noble readers to write of one thing more, which is concerning the reading of plays; for plays must be read to the nature of those several humours, or passions, as are expressed by writing: for they must not read a scene as they would read a chapter; for scenes must be read as if they were spoke or acted. Indeed comedies should be read a mimic way, and the sound of their voice must be according to the sense of the scene; and as for tragedies, or tragic scenes, they must not be read in a whining, puling voice, but in a sad serious voice, as deploring or complaining: but the truth is, there are as few good readers as there are good writers; indeed, an ill reader is, as great a disadvantage as to wit as wit can have, unless it be ill acted, for then ‘tis doubly disgraced, both in the voice and action, whereas in reading only the voice is employe, but when a play is well and skillfully read, the very sound of the voice that enters through the ear, doth present the actions to the eyes of the fancy as lively as if it were really acted; but howsoever writings must take their chance, and I leave my plays to Chance and Forture, as well as to censure and reading.
M.N.
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