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.
These theatre and performance archive catalogues are available online:
- Arts Council of Great Britain records, 1928 - 1997
- Arts Theatre and Unicorn Theatre, archive, 1902 - 1982
- Black Mime Theatre, company records, 1984 - 1997
- Cheek by Jowl, theatre company records, 1981 - 1999
- Contemporary Dance Trust, archive, 1957 - 1998
- Ekstrom Collection: Diaghilev and Stravinsky Foundation, 1902 - 1984
- English Stage Company / Royal Court Theatre, archive, 1954 - 2001
- Alfred Fagon, playwright, actor and poet, papers, 1966 - 1989
- London Pavillion Ltd / Theatres Consolidated, theatre management companies, records, 1887-ca. 1950
- Sir Ian McKellen, actor, papers, 1967 - 2007
- Frank Matcham and Company, theatre architects, records, 1881 - 1972
- Maudie Edwards Archive, 1906 - 1991
- Oliver Messel Collection, ca. 1700 - 1978
- Sir Michael Redgrave Archive, [1890] - 1996
- Round House and Open Space, theatre companies, records, 1962 - 1983
- Trixie Scales Archive, 1920 - 1970
- Small Archives Collection, ca. 1875 - 2006
- Sphinx Theatre Company (formerly The Women's Theatre Group), archive, 1973 - 2005
- Talawa Theatre Company, records, 1962 - 2007
- Temba Theatre Company and the Black Theatre Collection, records, 1973 - 1992
- Tricycle Theatre, archive, 1972 - 2004
- Unity Theatre, theatre company, records, 1932 - 2001
British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
31 March–12 August 2012
Showcasing over 300 British design objects, this exhibition celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012.
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Catalogue of Paintings at the Theatre Museum
An illustrated catalogue raisonne of the collection of over 100 paintings at the Theatre Museum
Buy nowEvent - 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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