Digital Collections

    Theatre Through the Years

    by Guest Author
    written by Guest Author

    This post was written by SLIS student Heather McMullin

    The University of Alberta has a proud theatre tradition. If you want to see what U of A drama students have been producing lately, check out their compilation of studio videos here. For a look further back though, University of Alberta Archives’ online photo collection offers a quick step back in time with scenes from plays put on by past students.

    Let’s start in 1942 with a lively production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance:

    Black and white photo. Two rows of performers pose for the camera on stage. A rock and ship's masts are painted behind them. The men wear military uniforms and the women wear long frilly dresses with bonnets.
    University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1972-058-1740, U of A Philharmonic, January 1942

    The following year, “Watch on the Rhine” was performed. This was a new broadway play that was about to be adapted for the big screen in an Academy Award-nominated movie starring Bette Davis and Paul Lukas.

    Black and white photo of a play. On stage, a young Caucasian man and woman shake hands with a Caucasian boy in a suit and tie. Several other people look on. The stage is decorated with wood paneling and formal furniture.
    University of Alberta Archives, UAA-1972-058-897, Spring Play, February 1943

    In 1950, students performed “School for Wives,” a Molière comedy:

    A cast of ten Caucasian actors stand on a stage designed to look like a grand ballroom. They wear seventeenth century clothing and stand in small conversation groups.
    AA-1976-067-001-016

    In 1955, they performed George Bernard Shaw’s “Caesar and Cleopatra”:

    A Caucasian man and woman stand together on stage. The woman wears a long black dress with a black scarf over her hair. She looks over her shoulder as the man speaks to her. He wears a toga and a laurel crown.
    UAA-1976-067-001-124

    And the following year, it was the Greek tragedy, “Antigone”:

    A circle of six Caucasian women stand on a marble staircase. They hold their arms up towards a king who stands at the top step. He has a black beard and a pointed golden crown. The women wear long flowing robes belted at the waist, and scarves over their hair.
    AA-1976-067-001-204

    We think the library is a great resource for theatre buffs. Our library subject guide for drama is an excellent starting point for investigating what we have to offer. Some highlights are:

    • Drama Online is a digital library of filmed live performances including plays from the National Theatre, the Stratford Festival, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and drama films from BBC.
    • Love Broadway? The library gives you access to Alexander Street’s film database, which includes their BroadwayHD collection, as well as their Theatre in Video collection,  and their Theatre in Context collection.
    • Finally, OntheBoards.tv is a digital streaming portal that provides access to contemporary performances of dance, theatre and music. 

    While we wait for live theatre to return, why not partake in the magic of theatre from the comfort of your own home?!

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