Andrew Hadfield: “Until the end of the 17th century, Jonson was generally regarded as the greatest dramatist in English, but since then he has not received his due. A heavy man, he did not wear his learning lightly, and suffered as a result, being seen as a pedantic, over-stuffed author. But he is a delight to see on stage or to read. He is clever, lucid, rude and very funny – much funnier than Shakespeare, in fact.”