Two lost works of William Shakespeare, Edward III, recently accepted into the canon, and Thomas of Woodstock, still considered apocryphal, end their American professional stage debuts Oct. 14 at Pacific Repertory Theatre of Carmel, California. Edward III, a chronicle of the beginning of the 100 Years War with Edward III and his son, the Black Prince, leading the fight against France, began performances Aug. 10 for a run through Oct. 14. Thomas of Woodstock began performances Sept. 7.

As early as 1987, English scholars were discussing Edward III as legitimate Shakespeare, although it was published anonymously in 1596. Thomas of Woodstock, also published anonymously in the 1590s, has not reached that status yet.

Thomas of Woodstock tells of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester and Lord Protector of England, one of Edward III's seven sons. His inaction in a time of crisis in the kingdom gets him murdered and sets off the War of the Roses. Shakespeare's Richard II begins where Woodstock would leave off: with a trial whose purpose is to discover the Duke's killers.

Tickets are $35-$18. The Circle Theatre of the Golden Bough is located at in Carmel. For reservations, call (831) 622-0100. Pacific Repertory Theatre is on the web at http://www.pacrep.org.

—- By Christine Ehren