Thumbnail of Black and Asian Performance - A Users' Guide

Black and Asian Performance - A Users' Guide

'Black and Asian Performance at the Theatre Museum - A User's Guide' was the V&A Theatre Collections’ first major step in bringing its collections on the vital history of black performance to life. It was published in 2003, but still provides a useful introduction to relevant material within our collections.

Thumbnail of Designing stage costumes

Designing stage costumes

A much-repeated cliché is that theatre costumes are badly made, tawdry, unfinished and don’t bear close inspection. Yet only in close-up can the inventiveness and resourcefulness of designer and maker be really appreciated.

Thumbnail of Black and asian performance reading list

Black and asian performance reading list

Recommended reading list about black and asian performance

Thumbnail of Patty costume by Wilhelm for 'The Pretty Prentice', 1916

Patty costume by Wilhelm for 'The Pretty Prentice', 1916

This costume for the character of Patty was designed for a production of 'The Pretty Prentice' ballet by Adeline Genée & D G MacLennan, performed at the London Coliseum, 1916.

Thumbnail of Prince Afron costume by Loudon Sainthill for 'Le Coq d'Or', 1954

Prince Afron costume by Loudon Sainthill for 'Le Coq d'Or', 1954

For the 1954 production of this opera, designer Loudon Sainthill adopted a fantastic, decorative approach, reminiscent of political caricature or book illustrations.

Donate to the Stained Glass Appeal

We are currently working on an exciting project to conserve and re-install the original stained glass on the landings of the Manfred and Lydia Gorvy Lecture Theatre. We need your help to raise £75,000 to bring these historical features back to their former glory for us all to enjoy.

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Black Style

Black Style

A celebration of a highly innovative, distinctive fashion, it looks at the origins, evolution and politics of black style.

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