Free Trial E-Resources: Adam Matthew Databases

Filed under: E-resources, Trial

11 Feb 2026

This free trial is provided by the e-resource vendor. Please make use of the opportunity to trial this resource and forward any comments through the Electronic Resources Evaluation Form.

The Library is pleased to offer a trial of four Adam Matthew databases featuring rich primary sources on theatre history, film, and political culture. These collections support teaching and research in literature, drama, history, cultural studies, film studies, and related disciplines.

The first two databases focus on Shakespearean performance archives. Royal Shakespeare Company Archives provides a comprehensive record of the performance history of the Royal Shakespeare Company and its predecessor, the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, including prompt books, production records, costume designs, music files and photographs. Shakespeare’s Globe Archive offers documentation of performance practice at the reconstructed Globe Theatre, covering over 200 performances through prompt books, wardrobe notes, programmes, publicity material, annual reports, show reports, photographs and architectural plans.

The other two databases centre on twentieth-century film and political propaganda. China on Film features documentary and actuality footage, including amateur films, travelogues and newsreels, providing a distinctive view of everyday life and key events in modern Chinese history. Socialism on Film brings together films from the communist world that portray war, history, current affairs, culture and society through a socialist lens, spanning most of the twentieth century and covering the USSR, Vietnam, China, Korea, Eastern Europe, the GDR, Britain and Cuba.

Please note that PDF download options are not available for free trials. The trial will end on 28 February 2026 (Saturday).

Royal Shakespeare Company Archives (screen capture)

China on Film (screen capture)