Performing Arts

This collection is rich in content around theatre production and direction from the late 20th century onwards, along with theatre and politics. The themes of performance and techniques in comedy also feature in this collection.

The Borthwick Institute for Archives holds the Samuel Storey writing and performing collection.

Researching performing arts

The collections focus heavily on theatre and the performing arts, providing a wealth of information on the craft of acting and different performance styles. It includes many practical guides for voice training, movement, and specialized techniques like method acting. Beyond what happens on stage, the records show a strong emphasis on theatre production and management, offering advice on how to direct shows, manage a stage, and run a production company. There is also extensive material on the technical side of theatre, including set design, costume making, and stage lighting.

Another major area covered is comedy and humour, with many records dedicated to the history of stand-up comedy, variety shows, and famous comedians. The archives features numerous biographies, memoirs, and diaries that give us a personal look into the lives of well-known British and American actors and entertainers. Additionally, these materials explore the social and political impact of theatre, covering topics like feminist theatre, black theatre, and how performance is used for community building and education. You will also find resources on theatre history, ranging from ancient Greek tragedy to modern digital performances.

Notable collections/collectors

Rare Book Collections

The Raymond Burton Yorkshire collection contains many York Playbills from the Theatre Royal, York spanning 1790-1821.

In the Dyson and Heath collections, you will find examples of beautifully illustrated books about Shakepeare and his plays.

The Shakspeare gallery : containing the principal female characters in the plays of the great poet / engraved in the most highly-finished manner from drawings by the first artists, under the direction and superintendence of Charles Heath, 1836

Twenty of the plays of Shakespeare : being the whole number printed in quarto during his life-time, or before the restoration, collated where there were different copies, and publish'd from the originals, 1766

Jeremy Collier's A short view of the immorality and profaneness of the English stage : Together With the Sense Of Antiquity Upon This Argument, 1688.

Samuel Storey writing and performing collection.

The Samuel Storey Trust has generously funded the setting up of this collection within the University Library and Archives.

This has enabled the acquisition of a number of archives of individual playwrights, screenwriters and comedy writers, including:

playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn
playwright and screenwriter Charles Wood
novelist and playwright David Storey
comedy writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran
comedy writer Barry Took
playwright Julia Pascal
playwright Peter Whelan

How to access the collections

All the collections can be accessed via the Library's online catalogue. A valid University of York username and password is required to access content online.

Items held in the library can be consulted on site. Most of these titles can be borrowed using a suitable library card, some titles might be reference only and can only be read on site.

Items held in the Borthwick can be consulted in the Borthwick Reading Room and copies can be made subject to copyright and condition. These materials cannot be loaned outside the University of York without the permission of the owners. Books in the Rare Books Collection may be consulted at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.