Theatre & Performance
Features
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The story of theatre
As told through our fascinating collection
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Design and make your own story
Create a story and bring it to life!
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Paper peepshows
Take a peek into our peepshow collection
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Handling Ian McKellen's Shakespeare costume
Find out about the importance of handling theatre costumes with care
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Conserving Sandie Shaw's Eurovision dressSee how Sandie Shaw's beaded Eurovision dress is conserved
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A history of puppets in Britain
Punch, Judy, Sooty, Sweep and a life-sized horse puppet called Joey, you'll find them all in our puppets collection...
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An A–Z of musical theatre
From early ballad operas to today's West End blockbusters
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Conserving a PJ Harvey costume
Watch as the threads on PJ Harvey's costume are carefully untangled and arranged
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The story of circus
Discover the history of circus and the acts that have entertained audiences over the last 250 years
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"That's the way to do it!" A history of Punch & Judy
Discover the fascinating story of the perennial entertainer
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The Harry Hammond photographic collection
The founding father of music photography
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Conserving a clown costume
See the processes involved in conserving a sequinned clown costume
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Modernist theatre in Britain between the Wars
The Modernist agenda is reflected in the pioneering political theatrical organisations that sprung up in the UK between the wars
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The story of pantomime
The familiar trappings of the classic British panto owe much to the innovations of Victorian entrepreneurs, performers and designers
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The Rolling Stones tongue and lips logoDiscover the fascinating story about how a young RCA student was commissioned to produce one of the world's most iconic logos
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Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes – an introduction
The productions of the Ballets Russes revolutionised early 20th-century arts and continue to influence cultural activity today
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Conserving an Adzido Pan African Dance Costume
See how these raffia leg wraps were conserved
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Tommy Cooper collection
The Tommy Cooper Collection celebrates the life and career of one of Britain’s best-loved comedy stars
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Shoes formerly worn by Prince
Shoes worn by the best-selling musical artist Prince have been acquired for the V&A's National Collection of Performing Arts
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Wilton's Music Hall archive
Discover the chequered history of the world's oldest surviving Victorian music hall
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Conserving a ballet tutu
Watch as Belinda Wright's tutu is humidified
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Theatre posters – an illustrated history
Explore over 400 years of theatre poster design
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Music hall and variety theatre
Charting its history from early song and supper rooms to West End music halls and the birth of the Royal Variety Performance
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ASMR at the museum
Get closer to our objects than ever before
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The story of The Supremes
Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, talks about her extraordinary career and the heyday of Motown
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The circus photography of John Hinde
The power of photography to create a "greatness and fullness of life"
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Facing the music: Album covers from musical theatre
Explore the album artwork and songs from classic musicals from the 1960s to the 1990s
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Costume design: SIX the Musical – Catherine of Aragon
Discover the secrets behind the costume
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A brief history of vampires – in print, photography and posters
Discover, if you dare, how Count Dracula haunts the V&A's collections
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Gabrielle Enthoven – collector of theatre and performanceDiscover one woman's efforts to establish a theatre and performance collection at the V&A
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Design and make a musical from your favourite story
Re-think your favourite story for the stage
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Costume conservation: My Fair Lady
From rags to riches, follow the transformation of an iconic piece of musical theatre history
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Costume design: Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Satine's Sparkling Diamond costume
Go behind the scenes to see how Satine's dazzling costume was designed
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Preparing a Bollywood poster for stretching: ASMR
Step inside the Painting Conservation Studio to see this enormous hand-painted poster be prepared for display
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Shakespeare's First Folio
Discover the secrets of a 400-year-old copy of Shakespeare's collected plays
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Diva playlist
Experience the greatest divas of all time, and add your own to our playlist
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Redefining the diva
From the rise of the operatic prima donna in the 16th century to today, we explore the reinvention, challenges and redefinition of the diva
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500 years of witches in art and designGrab your broom and join us for a spellbinding journey through art and design history
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Packing objects for a new home: ASMRHow do you move over 250,000 museum objects from one side of London to the other?
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Musical theatre costume design: Everybody's Talking About JamieHow do you create a character through costume?
Collection highlights
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Dance costume, Adzido Pan African Dance Company, 1999V&A South Kensington -
Rolling Stones Hot Licks logo, artwork, designed by Jon Pasche, 1970, London, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Les Paul guitar, made by Gibson, 1960s, USV&A East Storehouse -
Academy Award, designed by Cedric Gibbons, made by R.S. Owens, 1952, United StatesV&A South Kensington -
Stage costume worn by Shirley Bassey, designed by Douglas Darnell, 1960s, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Eightpence a Mile: The New Stop Press Review, poster, designed by G.K. Benda, printed by David Allen & Sons, about 1913, London, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Film costume from 'Star Wars', designed by John Mollo and Brian Muir, 1977 – 80, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Costume design for the ballet 'Amor', designed by P Croce, late 19th century, ItalyV&A South Kensington -
Smile Orange, theatre poster, designed by Eureka! Design Consultants with photography by Rick Elgood, 1992, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Theatre costume, designed by Philip Prowse, made by Bonn & Mackenzie, 1981, London, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Set model, designed by Henry Emden, 1903, BritainV&A South Kensington -
Poster advertising Anansi's Royal Quest at the Unicorn Theatre, 1983, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Queen Elizabeth Viewing the Performance of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' at the Globe Theatre, oil painting, by David Scott, 1840, BritainV&A East Storehouse -
Leonide Massine waiting for his cue to go on stage in 'On With the Dance', painting, painted by Gluck, 1925, Great BritainV&A South Kensington -
Theatre box from the Palace Theatre of Varieties, designed by Bertie Crewe, 1903 – 1904, BritainV&A South Kensington
