About the Friends of the Theatre Collection

The Friends of the Theatre Collection is a registered charity which exists to support and promote the work of the Theatre Collection. Established in 1976, the Friends aim to raise public awareness of the existence and importance of the Collection and to help strengthen links with other cultural, theatrical and educational organisations.

As well as raising funds to support the vital work of the Theatre Collection, the Friends form a community of theatre and archive enthusiasts, many of them based in or near Bristol but with many others based around the UK.

The Friends organise events such as archive and museum trips, “Collections Chats” from expert archivists and talks on a broad range of theatre-related topics from academics and from those working in theatre.

In recent years, the Friends have held some events online, making it possible to host speakers and audience members from further afield, such as a brilliant talk from Dr Eric Colleary at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. Closer to home, the Friends’ newsletter promotes new exhibitions at the Theatre Collection, as well as reporting on acquisitions which the Friends have been able to make on the Collection’s behalf and on a wide range of events and related news items.

In the coming year, the Friends look forward to continuing with a mixture of online and in-person events.

Become a member

The Friends have been able to make significant contributions to the Theatre Collection since its formation, both through the acquisition of items: from costumes to stage designs and paintings, to more functional items such as exhibition display cases and specialist equipment for the Oral History archive. In all, well over one hundred separate acquisitions totalling several hundred individual items.

If you would like further information on the Friends and how to join, please email the Friends of the University of Bristol Theatre Collection: theatrecollection-friends@bristol.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can download a ‌Friends Membership Form 2022 (PDF, 45kB)

Association matters

• Members of the Friends Association council: Friends of the Theatre Collection Council List 2022 (PDF, 133kB)
• Charity No: 272392
• Contact: theatrecollection-friends@bristol.ac.uk