Typical questions

• • I need to evaluate the staging of recent performances of Shakespeare. Have you got any online?

• • Where can I read articles on women's roles in Ibsen?

Starting points

• • Questions may relate to theoretical issues or the practical aspects of performance. Always get as much information as possible. Related topics include Marketing, for those writing performance briefs; Management and Business Studies, for analyses of the entertainment industry; and Music. Materials in the English Literature chapter also cover drama. Another common request for performance recordings may be resolved using the materials in the Films, Documentaries and TV Programmes chapter.

• • This chapter has general starting points. Explore the resources fully to find coverage of specific plays and actors.

Key organisations - government departments

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-mediasport

Current remit includes protecting and promoting artistic culture in Britain. Access recent press releases, policy documents and reports. Remember that in the past departmental names and coverage may have been different so check the Government Publications chapter for other resources.

Arts Council

www.artscouncil.org.uk

Covers England. This type of organisation provides news, policy documents and data on public funding of the arts.

Key organisations - scholarly

Use these websites to trace news, recent research publications and conferences.

American Society for Theatre Research

www.astr.org

US-based professional organisation that fosters scholarship on worldwide theatre and performance, both historical and contemporary.

Association for Theatre in Higher Education

www.athe.org

Covers research and teaching in UK colleges and universities.

International Society for the Performing Arts

www.ispa.org

Worldwide professional organisation whose members include artist managers, festivals, funders and national performing arts organisations. Website is useful for tracing regional organisations and events. Members are able to access conference videos.

International Theatre Institute

www.iti-worldwide.org

World's largest performing arts organisation founded in 1948 by theatre and dance experts and UNESCO. Its website is a rich source of information on ITI and UNESCO projects and publications covering theatre and dance. It includes free access to reports and video materials.

Study guides

Shakespeare on Screen: International Database of Shakespeare on Film, Television and Radio

bufvc.ac.uk/Shakespeare

Free index of Shakespeare-related content created by an Arts and Humanities Research Council grant. Covers the 1890s to the present day. Also provides information on availability of recordings via UK academic resources including Learning on Screen