‘If you have writ your annals true’: cataloguing the Northern Broadsides performance archive

Project Outline: Connected to the CAPITAL Centre’s performance-based teaching, learning and research is a project called RePerforming Performance (Shakespeare Archives in Teaching and Learning). As part of this, CAPITAL’s research team has been collaborating with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Northern Broadsides theatre company. They are also working in an area of research exploring the use of performance archives with the School of Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies and the University’s Library Services.

My aim: To work at the heart of these exciting collaborations by creating a full handlist of the Northern Broadsides collection currently on loan to the CAPITAL Centre that will be made available to Northern Broadsides and in due course to a wider public electronically.

Developing my knowledge: I learnt from experts in the field speaking at the 3rd International Shakespeare and Performance Colloquium. Archivist Julie Moores demonstrated to me best practice in archive administration. Sylvia Morris, Head of Shakespeare Collections at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT), helped me develop my understanding of the different approaches to keeping performance archives.

My experience: I worked with material records such as company files, prompt books, photographs and press files, cataloguing the Northern Broadsides collection in a spreadsheet using basic Dublin Core. This descriptive hand-list in electronic form was compliant with international cataloguing standards and was structured so that it could be imported into standard catalogue formats.

The skills I developed: Meticulous focus, attention to detail, computer skills, accuracy in collecting data, strong visual awareness skills, time management.

My thoughts: Undertaking this project was a fantastic opportunity; I developed many new skills, broadened my knowledge of performance archives and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. It has given me a taste of the kind of work that goes into a practice-led research project and I have developed transferable skills that I could use to pursue research and practice in the academic sector. I am now ready, equipped, and have a strong drive to carry out more research and gain more experience that will help me along my career path.

Sita Thomas Supervisor: Carol Rutter