THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS ARCHIVE

The Linen Hall Library's Theatre & Performing Arts Archive is the primary source of theatrical material from Northern Ireland. Our collection ranges from 18th century playscripts to the most modern developments in the theatrical life of Northern Ireland.

At present, the Archive comprises several thousand original programmes, handbills, posters, photographs, letters, news cuttings and major holdings of unpublished scripts. The largest part of our material is theatrical, but music, opera, film and dance are also represented.

Together the Collection gives eloquent testimony to the rich and diverse cultural life that has existed throughout our history. Many different types of researchers use the Collection for many different purposes. All are welcome.

PUBLICATIONS FROM THE ARCHIVE
The Archive has produced five publications (listed below), all of which illuminate its holdings. They can be purchased from the Library online.

State of Play?
ed. by Ophelia Byrne
A look at the development of playwriting throughout the 20th Century in Ulster or Northern Ireland, this publication features extracts, contemporary reviews and photographs.

The Theatre in Ulster
by Ophelia Byrne
A fascinating account of the history of theatre in Ulster, using the collections of the Theatre Archive as its focus.

Its Own Way Of Things - A Celebration of the Ulster Literary Theatre
ed. by Hugh Odling-Smee
This celebration document marks the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Literary Theatre's first performance. The ULT were Northern Ireland's first independent theatre company.

JOHN BOYD
This large collection spans the cultural and social life of Northern Ireland in the 20 th century. It contains correspondence, scripts, unpublished poetry and writings by both John Boyd and major figures in Northern Irish literature from the last seventy years.

The work of the Theatre & Performing Arts Archive is made possible through the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund.

If you wish to access material in the Theatre & Performing Arts Archive, please contact the Irish & Reference department in advance of your visit on 028 9032 1707 E: irish.reference@linenhall.com.