The National Theatre Archive is a treasure trove of material, covering all of the creative, technical and administrative records of the National Theatre. The Archive is open to everyone by appointment. The collection covers the movement to found the National Theatre and the period from the start of the company in 1963 right up to the present day.

We have an online Catalogue and we provide research space and free screening facilities for individuals as well as groups, including schools and universities, and can accommodate up to 65 people for screenings. Captions are available for some production recordings, please ask the team for more information.

The Archive works closely with the Learning department for events in the Clore Learning Centre and to curate exhibitions front of house in the Lyttelton Lounge.

If you are part of a school or an education institution internationally, please consider subscribing to the NT Collection, which provides access to production recordings, resources and archive materials.

Member - NT_Archive handling_1 Member - NT_Archive handling_2 Member - NT_Coriolanus poster Member - NT_Follies poster Member - NT_Guys and Dolls poster Member - NT_The Mask of Orpheus sketch Member - NT_The Oresteia sketch

Related Resources

Clear Sailing: navigating the archive

Clear Sailing: Navigating the Archive was the joint symposium between APAC and the Society for Theatre Research in 2019.

Report

Digital Preservation Series: Part 1 - Making the Case

The first part in APAC’s series of digital preservation guidance, produced by the Digital Preservation Working Group. with case studies from the National Theatre and University of Kent.

Case study How to

Digitally Preserving the Performing Arts: Part Four

Part 4 of APAC's digital preservation guidance series focuses on file formats, with case studies from the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, National Theatre and Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.

Case study How to

Digital Preservation Series Part 3: Moving Image

Part 3 of APAC’s series of digital preservation guidance, produced by the association's Digital Preservation Working Group, focuses on moving image collections, including: standards and formats, digitisation, copyright, storage and access.

Case study How to

APAC Study Day: In Good Company: Working with Partners

Report from 2016 APAC Study Day on working with partners. Held at The Lowry, Salford.

Case study Report

APAC Symposium: Breaking with Tradition: new approaches to performance collections

A report of the 2018 APAC Symposium at the John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.

Case study Report

APAC Study Day: Celebrating Anniversaries

A report from the 2018 APAC Study Day, held at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.

Case study Report

APAC Symposium: Bridging the Gap: The Role of the Archivist and the Researcher

A report and case studies from APAC's 2017 Symposium considering the roles of archivist and researcher

Case study Report

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