British Records Association

Author: Stephanie

  • A review: Curtain Up! The Practice of Archiving Performance

    A review of the BRA 2024 Conference ‘Curtain Up! The Practice of Archiving Performance’ by Helen Epega

    I was delighted to be awarded a free place at this year’s British Records Association (BRA) conference, Curtain Up: The Archives of Theatre and Performance in the UK, held in London on 29 October 2024. As a first-time attendee and a relative newcomer to the BRA, I was intrigued by the theme, given my deep interest in the preservation and accessibility of cultural records. I wanted to attend to learn more about cultural representation in archiving, why some things are archived, who chooses what to archive and why, the process of archiving and whether I should explore archiving items from the ground-breaking opera I wrote and composed, Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to explore archives of the performing arts, broaden my understanding of their scope, and connect with professionals and enthusiasts in the field.

    Widening Access to Collections

    The day began with a warm welcome from the BRA and the Association of Performing Arts Collections (APAC), followed by an engaging session on widening access to theatre and performance archives. Erin Lee’s presentation on active archiving at the National Theatre was the first highlight of the morning. She highlighted how collaboration between the National Theatre and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama has enriched their collections and made them more dynamic. Erin’s emphasis on creating a “collection collaboratively” resonated strongly, showcasing how partnerships can breathe new life into archival work.
    Erin Lee, National Theatre and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
    Erin Lee, National Theatre and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

    Robyn Greenwood and Rachel Sharpe from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) followed with an inspiring session showcasing their innovative approach to co-curating collections. Their projects emphasized collaboration with artists, communities, and local organisations to create transformational experiences. It was inspiring to see how archives can become living entities, bridging the past and present in creative ways.

    Georgina Donohue continued with a fascinating account of a heritage mural commissioned for the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham. The collaboration with Handmade Theatre captured local stories and histories, highlighting how performance archives can enrich community identity. This was a particularly poignant reminder of the power of archives to connect people to their heritage.
    The morning concluded with an engaging presentation by Maggie Gray and Caoimhe Mader McGuinness, who revisited Cartoon Theatre. Their focus on engaging archives within academic and community contexts provided new perspectives on making historical material relevant for diverse audiences.

     

    Maggie Gray, Senior Lecturer in Critical and Historical Studies, and Caoimhe Mader McGuinness, Senior Lecturer in Drama, Kingston University
    Maggie Gray, Senior Lecturer in Critical and Historical Studies, and Caoimhe Mader McGuinness, Senior Lecturer in Drama, Kingston University

    Records at Risk Panel

    After a short break, we delved into the pressing issue of records at risk. Philip Gale and James Hodgson from The National Archives (TNA) discussed efforts to rescue performance arts archives, providing insight into the challenges posed by underfunding, shifting priorities, and the fragility of digital records. Dr Toni Sant’s reflections on the Malta Music Memory Project underscored the importance of questioning permanence in digital archives and ensuring that cultural heritage is preserved in ways that future generations can access.

     

    Dr Toni Sant, Digital Curation Lab, University of Salford.

    The panel discussion that followed was lively and thought-provoking. Panellists debated strategies for safeguarding archives while balancing the pressures of funding, technology, and access. It was clear that collaboration between institutions, archivists, and communities is vital for addressing these challenges.

    Collaborative Curation

    Jane Pritchard’s exploration of dance archives at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) provided a fascinating insight into the unique challenges of curating materials related to movement and performance. From costumes to photographs and films, the V&A’s approach underscored the importance of preserving ephemeral art forms in meaningful ways.
    Dr Barry Houlihan’s presentation on the creation of a digital oral history archive of contemporary Irish drama brought a fresh perspective on the intersection of storytelling and archival preservation. His work demonstrated how digital tools can capture the voices and experiences of practitioners, ensuring their contributions to theatre history are not lost.

    Beyond the Object Entry Form

    The final session of the day featured Sarah C Jane and Julian Warren, who shared their experiences with the Kneehigh Theatre archive and the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, respectively. Sarah’s presentation on the Kneehigh Theatre archive was a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of the company, capturing its legacy through thoughtful preservation and innovative engagement strategies.
     
    Julian and Sian Williams delved into the often-overlooked process of working with record creators. Their insights on building trust and fostering collaboration offered a compelling reminder that archives are as much about people as they are about objects and records.

    Final Thoughts

    The conference closed with reflections on the day’s themes and challenges. It highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as funding, inclusivity, and accessibility in the preservation of theatre and performance records. The speakers’ passion and expertise in their respective fields shone through, offering valuable insights into the dynamic and collaborative nature of archival work.

    Overall, Curtain Up! was an inspiring and enlightening experience. The friendly and collaborative atmosphere fostered meaningful exchanges of ideas, leaving me with fresh perspectives and a renewed appreciation for the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. Bravo!

  • BRA Conference 2024 – Programme and free place announced

    The British Records Association Annual Conference 2024 is being held in partnership with the Association of Performing Arts Collections (APAC), a network for all museums, libraries and archives holding performance arts materials in the UK and Ireland.

    This is an opportunity to share the work of the performing arts archive world with the wider sector and consider the transferability of particular methods and experiences of performing arts information professionals.

    The conference theme is active archiving, with, through, and for practitioners. We will explore how archives can be developed in collaboration with the record creators, the practitioners themselves, to create more representative collections of performance for use by practitioners, academics, the general public, and beyond. We will also address current concerns regarding long term preservation of performance archives and the interventions available to save endangered works and collections.

    PROGRAMME:

    10.15 Welcome from the BRA and from APAC

    Widening Access to Collections

    10.30 Robyn Greenwood, Collections Manager, and Rachel Sharpe, Head of Co-Curation, Royal Shakespeare Company: Royal Shakespeare Company: Creating Transformation; Co-Curating Collections with Artists, People and Places

    10.55 Georgina Donohue, Heritage Officer, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall Nottingham – Heritage Mural Commission with Handmade Theatre

    11.20 Maggie Gray, Senior Lecturer in Critical and Historical Studies, and Caoimhe Mader McGuinness, Senior Lecturer in Drama, Kingston University: Engaging Engaged Archives: Revisiting Cartoon Theatre

    11.45-12.00 – comfort break

    Records at Risk Panel

    12.00-12.05 Introduction from the Chair

    Philip Gale, Head of Collections and Cultural Property, and James Hodgson, Head of Archive Sector Funding, The National Archives: Rescuing Performance Arts Archives

    Dr Toni Sant, Digital Curation Lab, University of Salford: Questioning Permanence in the Archive: Reflections on the Malta Music Memory Project

    12.20 Panel Discussion

    12.45-14.00 – Lunch and BRA AGM 13.30-14.00

    Collaborative Curation

    14.00 Erin Lee, National Theatre and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: Active Archiving at the National Theatre: Creating a Collection Collaboratively

    14.20 Jane Pritchard, Curator of Dance, Victoria & Albert Museum: Collections of Dance and Dancers in the Victoria and Albert Museum

    14.40 Dr Barry Houlihan, University of Galway: ‘A Fine Bit of Talk’: A New Digital Oral History Archive of Contemporary Irish Drama

    15.00-15.30 Afternoon refreshments

    15.30 Sarah C Jane, Archivist (Development Lead), Falmouth University and University of Exeter Penryn Campus: This is Kneehigh: Archive, Legacy, Spirit

    15:50 Julian Warren, Head of the Theatre Collection and Sian Williams, Keeper, University of Bristol Theatre Collection: Beyond the Object Entry Form: Some Archival Reflections on Working with Record Creators

    16.10 Conference conclusions and close.

    Book your tickets on our Eventbrite page. Conference fees include full catering for the day. For any accessibility requirements please email: secretary@britishrecordsassociation.org.uk

    Apply for a free place

    In partnership with the Association of Performing Arts Collections, we are offering a free place at our annual conference to an early career archivist, librarian, historian, or related heritage worker.
    To apply, please submit a written piece to our Secretary explaining:
    • Why you are interested in attending,
    • Why the subject of the conference is important to you, and
    • How the event might contribute to your professional development.
    Applications close midnight on 27th September, with a decision expected the following week. The successful applicant will be encouraged to write a short conference review for the BRA’s website or e-bulletin and/or to promote the conference on social media during the day.
    The free place will cover the registration fee (including full catering for the day) and reasonable travel expenses.

  • Book your ticket to the BRA Conference 2024

    Curtain Up! The Practice of Archiving Performance

    Tuesday October 29th 2024 in London.

    The British Records Association’s Annual Conference 2024 is being held in partnership with the Association of Performing Arts Collections (APAC), a network for all museums, libraries and archives holding performance arts materials in the UK and Ireland.

    This is an opportunity to share the work of the performing arts archive world with the wider sector and consider the transferability of particular methods and experiences of performing arts information professionals.

    The conference theme is active archiving, with, through, and for practitioners. We will explore how archives can be developed in collaboration with the record creators, the practitioners themselves, to create more representative collections of performance for use by practitioners, academics, the general public, and beyond. We will also address current concerns regarding long term preservation of performance archives and the interventions available to save endangered works and collections.

    Speaker participants from the following institutions are confirmed:

    • Royal Shakespeare Company
    • Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
    • Kingston School of Art, Kingston University London
    • The National Archives
    • Digital Curation Lab, University of Salford
    • National Theatre and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
    • Victoria and Albert Museum
    • University of Galway
    • University of Falmouth and University of Exeter Penryn Campus
    • University of Bristol Theatre Collection

    Please monitor the BRA website and this page for the full programme which will be published soon. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite here.

    *Conference fees include full catering for the day*

    For any accessibility requirements please email: secretary@britishrecordsassociation.org.uk

    We look forward to seeing you in October!

     

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