Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre archive
A visual collection consisting of flyers, posters and programmes
Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre
Following extensive remodelling after a fire in 1933, Liverpool's Royal Court art deco building opened in 1938. However, the site on Roe Street has been used for entertainment since 1826, when Cooke’s New Circus opened. Five years later, this was renamed Cooke’s Amphitheatre of Arts, to reflect the change in performances, incorporating theatre, music and ballet. The name Royal Court Theatre was first used in 1881. The earliest item in the archive dates to around this period - a programme from 1 May 1882 for a production of ‘Lights o’ London’.
Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre archive
LJMU Special Collections and Archives have worked with the Royal Court Liverpool Trust. Together, we have supported the theatre's Heritage Lottery Fund project by providing advice and support with their archive. We've also attended the theatre's events following their recent refurbishment.
The small collection, which consists predominantly of programmes and flyers, has been used for:
- an exhibition in Special Collections
- to support research
- teaching and learning by academics and students interested in theatre history
- graphic design
- history of advertising
The collection is now available via our online catalogue. For more information, please contact the LJMU Archivist.
