Theatre passes archive to University

Storage at Exeter Northcott is overflowing and the archive materials were in need of organisation and a place where they could be more easily accessed by theatre historians and the general public. The theatre is preserving its cultural history by re-housing the papers to the University’s dedicated archive repository which will allow access to the papers for research, learning and outreach.

Kate Tyrrell, Chief Executive of Exeter Northcott, said “The archive holds nearly forty years of the theatre’s history from its opening on 2 November 1967 with a production of The Merchant of Venice, starring its first Artistic Director Tony Church as Shylock. A host of young and dedicated actors who went on to become well-known and well loved TV and radio stars performed with the Northcott repertory company in its first four decades. John Nettles was one of the first, who in 1969 appeared in New Adventures of Noah's Ark, Hamlet, Look Back in Anger, and Beyond the Fringe.”

Other famous actors who worked at the Northcott during its forty-year history include Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Robert Lindsay, Roy Marsdon, Bob Peck, and Brian Protheroe. It was a marvellous training ground for developing and honing the craft of the actor, something that has continued at Exeter Northcott until the present day.

University of Exeter’s Archive Curator, Christine Faunch said “We are thrilled to be able to give a new home to this wonderful collection. Properly stored and organised, the Northcott Theatre archive is an exceptional resource for theatre and literary studies. The University already houses the Bill Douglas Centre for Film and Popular Culture, and the Theatre Royal Playbill and English Concert Party collections. The Northcott archives add an extra dimension and enables research on all aspects of the craft.”