The first musicals
From 'The Beggar’s Opera', of 1728 to ‘Chu Chin Chow’ of 1916, this article explores the roots and early developmen…
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Theatrical revue
Revue developed in the 1890s and was a collection of short sketches, songs, dances, comic interludes and even short…
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Modern American musicals
The first American musical, 'The Black Crook', opened in 1866 at Niblo’s Garden on Broadway. It was an extravaganza…
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British musicals
In contrast to the slick, sophisticated American musicals of the 1930s, Britain evolved the ‘nostalgia’ musical suc…
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Interviews with Wicked cast members
Watch videos of cast members of the hit musical Wicked. Dianne Pilkington and Jeremy Legat talk about costume chang…
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Political theatre in the early 20th century
At the turn of the century an interest in theatre that explored the moral and social issues of contemporary society had developed. During Granville Barker's management of the Royal Court between 1903 and 1907 the work of Bernard Shaw began to be popular. Granville Barker also produced the work of feminist writers such as Cicely Hamilton who also wrote for the suffrage cause with The Pioneer Players.
Past exhibitions at the former Theatre Museum
Details of past Theatre and Performance related exhibitions, staged at the former Theatre Museum in Covent Garden, which closed in 2007.
Theatre posters
The term ‘poster’ originates from the medieval period when brief hand-written details of performances were handed out and stuck to posts in towns. By 1576, when the first public theatre in England opened, performances were announced by the distribution of handbills (as well as a drum procession through the streets, and by a flag hoisted at the theatre where the performance was taking place).
18th-century theatre
During the 18th century theatre flourished as a popular pastime and many theatres were enlarged and new playhouses built in London and the provinces. One of the most successful shows on the London Stage in the early part of the 18th century was the ballad opera The Beggar's Opera. John Gay recycled popular songs of the day and wrote new lyrics that were humorous and satirical.
Introduction to early 20th-century theatre
The emergence of a new drama in the early 20th century had little initial impact on mainstream theatre, but new and dissenting voices slowly began to transfer onto the West End from the little theatres. The plays of George Bernard Shaw, Somerset Maugham, Terence Rattigan, Noël Coward and J B Priestley dominated the West End between the wars.
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Music, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (Custom print)
Music, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (A4 Print, Satin Finish)
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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