Collections
Shakespeare’s Globe holds rich and varied library and archive collections that explore the history of the organisation and the study of Shakespeare and performance at large.
Our Archive contains unique records which document the history of Shakespeare’s Globe. We hold three distinct collections: the Performance Archive, the Institutional Archive and the Collected Archives.
The Archive is searchable online here.
Our Library is a valuable specialised resource that supports the study of Shakespeare, theatre, performance and Early Modern studies. The Library Collections include a growing collection of rare books and special collections.
The Library is searchable online here.
Performance Archive
Our Performance Archive documents the creative and functional aspects of theatrical performances and events at Shakespeare’s Globe.
The archive demonstrates the processes that go into a production or event. It contains programmes, prompt books, wardrobe notes, photographs, musical scores, show reports and posters. Our Performance Archive also includes our unique moving image and audio archive,
The Archive is searchable online here.
Photo credit: Simon Annand
Moving Image and Audio Archive
This unique collection documents nearly all performances and events through film and sound which you can watch or listen to on-site at the Globe.
Our moving image archive captures nearly all our productions since the Prologue Season in 1996 in both the Globe Theatre and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Our audio archive includes recordings of lectures and talks dating back to the 1970’s as well as oral history collections documenting the process of building Shakespeare’s Globe. We also have a growing collection of audio interviews with cast and creatives.
Archive recordings are solely for research purposes and can only be consulted on-site in our Reading Room. Many of our Theatre productions have been recorded for commercial purposes; where available you can view many productions on demand through the Globe Player.
The Archive is searchable online here.
Institutional Archive
Our Institutional Archive consists of the records created by The Shakespeare Globe Trust and its predecessor bodies. These document the vision of Sam Wanamaker and the decades of planning, persistence and enthusiasm that led to the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe and its continuing history. It includes correspondence, administrative papers, publicity material, fundraising events, photographs.
The Archive is searchable online here.
Collected Archives
We also hold a small number of collections deposited by individuals and organisations related to the history of the Globe.
The most significant is the Pentagram Archive comprising architectural plans, project files and correspondence relating to the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe by the architect Theo Crosby, who was a founding partner of the architectural firm Pentagram. Please note that many parts of the Pentagram Archive have very limited access at present.
The Archive is searchable online here.
Library Collections
The Library Collection focuses on scholarly publications that support Shakespeare and Early Modern Studies, with specialist strengths in theatre and performance history. The collection also explores the history, building and research within and about our theatres.
Our Library Collection is reference only and available for visitors to consult.
Special Collections
Rare Books Collections
Our Rare Books Collection comprises some 200 books dating from the 17th century to the late 20th century. The material focuses on works produced in the early modern period, editions of Shakespeare and his contemporaries’ works, and early scholarship.
Highlights include Samuel Daniel’s The Whole Workes of Samuel Daniel in Poetrie (1623) and first editions of Philip Massinger’s works.
The John Wolfson Collection
The John Wolfson Collection is a rich resource comprising some 300 early printed books dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The collection was built around the study of Shakespeare and his contemporaries and publications that influenced early modern theatre.
Highlights include early editions of Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson’s works and Philip Sidney’s The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia (1598).
Wanamaker Collection
This collection comprises some 100 books donated by the Wanamaker Family Trust. The collection includes material formerly owned by Sam Wanamaker and other members of the Wanamaker family. The collection primarily focuses on the study of Shakespeare and early modern theatre, and includes texts that Sam Wanamaker used to conduct research into the beginnings of the Shakespeare’s Globe project.
The cataloguing of our Special Collections is ongoing, and we are constantly making new and interesting discoveries.
The Library Collections are searchable online here.
Objects Collection
We also have a small object collection which includes some social history items relating to the operation and development of Shakespeare’s Globe and a collection of fine art prints, drawings and watercolours.
Curated displays
In addition to our permanent displays in Mezzanine gallery space, we have a small collection of curated displays showcasing our collections. Our first free temporary exhibition ‘Research Stories’ opens in the new Weston Foyer in June 2026 until December 2027.
Our past displays have explored costuming of historic productions, artist in residence roles and hidden gems from our Library’s Special Collections.