Theatre and performance archives
Keith's Contract, Taney; Roshier; Arthur; Frost, 1874
Archives held in the Theatre and Performance collections
The V&A Theatre and Performance collections include many archives from performing arts companies and other organisations, as well as from individuals such as performers, stage designers and private collectors.
The archives reflect the subject areas of theatre and performance as a whole. Particular strengths are the archives of key theatres, theatre and dance companies, 20th century stage designers, actors and directors, photographers and government bodies such as the Arts Council.
Typically, they may contain a wide range of materials such as diaries, letters, manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, business papers, newspaper cuttings, and designs or sketches.
Accessing the archives in person
The V&A Theatre and Performance Collections archives can be accessed in the reading room at Blythe House in Kensington Olympia. You will need to make an appointment by contacting TMenquiries@vam.ac.uk
Discovering theatre and performance archives
All the archives are catalogued at the broadest level on the National Art Library online library catalogue.
The following theatre and performance archive catalogues are available online:
- Carlotta Addison scrapbooks, 1864–1899
- Papers of ACTC Theatrical and Cinematic, agents of Christopher Fry, 1930s–2002
- Arts Council of Great Britain records, 1928–1997
- Arts Theatre and Unicorn Theatre, archive, 1902–1982
- Allan Aynesworth Collection, 1912–1955
- Benesh Dance Notation Collection, c.1977-2010
- Rita Bernard Archive, c.1940s–1950s
- Black Mime Theatre, company records, 1984–1997
- Ethel and Murray Carrington scrapbooks, c.1910s–1920s
- David Cassidy Collection, 1972–1976
- Michael Codron Ltd.: Financial Papers, 1958–1983
- Jack Cole Scrapbook Collection, 1910s-1970s
- Bertie Crewe, architect: architectural drawings of theatres, 1903–1914
- Cheek by Jowl, theatre company records, 1981–1999
- Contemporary Dance Trust, archive, 1957–1998
- Clemence Dane, playwright and novelist: papers
- Alice Delysia Archive, c.1889–1979
- Winifred Dolan Collection, c.1867-1958
- Maudie Edwards Archive, 1906–1991
- Ekstrom Collection: Diaghilev and Stravinsky Foundation, 1902–1984
- English Stage Company / Royal Court Theatre, archive, 1934–2007
- Collection of material relating to French prisoners' theatricals at Portchester Castle, c.1810-1811
- Christopher Fry, playwright: papers, 1902–2008
- Alfred Fagon, playwright, actor and poet, papers, 1966–1989
- David Gahr Collection of Photographs, c.1960s–1970s
- Larry Grayson Collection, 1923–1995
- Elsie Griffin and Ivan Menzies, opera singers and actors: papers, 1905–2007
- Owen Hale Collection, 1970s–1980s
- Tom Heslewood Collection, 1868-1958
- Millie Howes, actress, and 'The Devil Bird', theatre sketch: papers c.1840–c.1940
- Douglas H. Jeffery Archive, 1930–2007
- Doreen Langton-Jones Scrapbooks, 1912–1928
- Drury Lane Design Collection, 1888–1938
- Drury Lane Theatre Archive – New Renter’s Trustees, 1812–1892
- Drury Lane Treasury Sheets, 1921–1927
- Tom Kirby and Tom Kenneth Walls Collection, 1922–1985
- Francis Lister Collection, 1920–1954
- Emile Littler Archive, 1890s–1960s
- London Pavillion Ltd / Theatres Consolidated, theatre management companies, records, 1887-ca. 1950
- Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Box Office Returns, 1964-1966
- Sir Ian McKellen, actor, papers, 1967–2007
- Frank Matcham and Company, theatre architects, records, 1881–1972
- Horace and Edna Mashford, performers: papers, c.1930–1945
- Oliver Messel Collection, ca. 1700–1978
- Collection of New Scala Theatre Photographs, c.1910 –1950s
- Nora Nicholson Collection, 1879–1988
- Peter Noble Collection, 1943–1951
- Andrew Phillips Photographs, c.2000–2005
- Paines Plough Theatre Company, records, 1975–2008
- Bernard Partidge Drawings Collection, 1861–1905
- CD Power, architect: drawings, 1902-1985
- Sir Michael Redgrave Archive, [1890]–1996
- Harry Relph (Little Titch) volumes, 1881-1974
- Cliff Richard Scrapbooks, 1957–1961
- Brian Rix Archive, 1942-2009
- Round House and Open Space, theatre companies, records, 1962–1983
- Trixie Scales Archive, 1920–1970
- Small Archives Collection, ca. 1875–2006
- George Speaight Archive, early 19th century–20th century
- Collection of H M Tennent correspondence relating to the 1954 Parliamentary Debate, 1954
- Ellen Terry Collection, 1856–1976
- Shared Experience Theatre Company Archive, 1976–2008
- Sphinx Theatre Company (formerly The Women's Theatre Group), archive, 1973–2005
- Peter Streuli Archive, 1939–1978
- Talawa Theatre Company, records, 1962–2007
- Temba Theatre Company and the Black Theatre Collection, records, 1973 - 1992
- Tricycle Theatre, archive, 1972–2004
- Larry Turnbull Circus Scrapbooks and Audio Recordings, c. 1930 –1980s
- Unity Theatre, theatre company, records, 1932–2001
- Archive of Sandra Wells, Ventriloquist and Pantomine Artist, c.1934–1970
- Esme Wynne and Noel Coward Collection, 1921–1994
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Event - Theatre & Performance Galleries Tour
Fri 19 February 2010–Mon 31 December 2012
TOUR: Take a guided tour of the V&A's exciting theatre and performance collections, including rock & pop posters, theatre and ballet costumes, puppets, stage sets and more! See new costumes from the Lion King now on display.
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