Theatre collections

Collections focusing on drama, opera, ballet, circus and other forms of performing arts are richly represented in the National Library. Some of these collections are listed below.
For further information on each collection please contact the Music and Theatre Department (mta-post@kb.dk).

• How to trace published plays and theatre literature in the Danish Collections and in the Older Foreign Collections of the National Library, as well as in the Copenhagen University Library ?  
    
• Works by Danish playwrights (a printed catalogue originally published in 1916)
• Teaterrepertoire i København 1722-1900. A database with the repertory at the leading theatres in Copenhagen (Det Kongelige Teater, Casinoteatret, Folketeatret og Dagmarteatret)
• Den Dramatiske Journal. A digitalised collection of the contents of Peder Rosenstand-Goiske's periodical Den dramatiske Journal, published 1771-1773
• Overskous teaterhistorie. A database (still in preparation) with the contents of Thomas Overskou's Den danske Skueplads, i dens Historie fra de første Spor af danske Skuespil indtil vor Tid. Kjøbenhavn, Samfundet til den danske Literaturs Fremme. 1-5 Deel. 1854-1864 
  
• Theatre texts on open shelves (in the Reading Room West )
• Collections of theatre texts deriving from outstanding Danish actors and directors (in the Drama Collection )
  
• Collections of the repertory performed at Danish theatres (in the Drama Collection )
  
  
• Archives from Danish dramatists, theatres and theatre organisations (in the Department of Manuscripts and rare Books )
  
  
• Digitalised collection of printed Danish theatre music c. 1750-1900
• Digitalised collections of older Danish dance descriptions from the 18th and 19th century  
• Digitalised collections of printed music from the 19th century to August Bournonville's ballets
• Digitalised collections of printed music and song texts for older variety-show performances in Copenhagen 1876-1900
  
• Theatre photos taken by Danish photographer Holger Damgaard (in the Department of Maps, Prints and Photographs )
• Collection of photographs from The Royal Danish Theatre 1930-1965 (in the Department of Maps, Prints and Photographs )
• Collections of photographs from Røde Kro Teater 1929-1961 (in the Department of Maps, Prints and Photographs )
• Collections of scenery for puppet theaters (in the Department of Maps, Prints and Photographs )
  
  
• Danish circus history: Archives, posters and programmes (in the Drama Collection )
• Danish circus programmes (in the The Collection of Pamphlets and Corporate Publications )
• Foreign circus programmes (in the Collection of foreign prints)
  
  
• Theatre posters
• Danish theatre programmes and brochures
  
  
• Articles published in the programmes of the Royal Theatre  (digital collection in the Rex online catalogue)
• The Royal Theatre Archive and Library