Drama Online from Bloomsbury
Drama Online offers an unparalleled digital library designed to support learning at all levels across Drama and Theatre studies, English Literature – and even Classics.
Bloomsbury’s award-winning drama platform provides teachers and students a rich and immersive experience that enhances the understanding of drama and literature in both historical and contemporary contexts.
We have seen many benefits from Drama Online: a significant increase in interest in theatre and performance, an increase in marks in the final exit exam, and a sense that there is a trusted resource available to add to the students’ knowledge and development.
Catherine Dodders, Head of Drama Department, Parklands College, South Africa
Video content to enhance learning
One of the standout features of Drama Online is its filmed live performances and film adaptations, offering students the opportunity to watch professional productions from renowned theatre companies such as the Globe Theatre, National Theatre, and Royal Shakespeare Company.
These recordings allow students to study staging techniques, actor performances, and directorial choices, making it an invaluable tool for both academic analysis and practical application.
Explore Learning Guides for each text, packed with resources and activities to support teaching:
Playtexts in the Core & Critical Studies Collection
With over 2,000 playtexts (and more added each year), the Core & Critical Studies Collection provides schools with a diverse catalogue of plays and support materials from the world’s leading dramatists. Matching many global curricula, this collection is a must-have resource for schools.
Great range of resources and live theatre recordings for all our students years 7-13. It's really good we can select certain collections rather than just a bulk access, helps to manage cost.
Helen Bamford, Head of Drama Department, Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong
The Drama Online collections, which are all available as individual subscriptions, include:
- National Theatre Collections 1-4
- Core and Critical Studies Collection
- Nick Hern Books Modern Plays Collection
- Shakespeare's Globe on Screen Video Collection
- Royal Shakespeare Company Live Collection
- Oberon Books Collection
- Aurora Metro Books and the Playwrights Canada Press Collection
- L.A. Theatre Works Collection
- The Classic Spring Oscar Wilde Collection
- Shakespeare's Globe to Globe Festival
- Contemporary Australian Drama: The Playlab Theatre Collection
- Drama Online Video Collection
- BBC Drama Films and Documentaries Collection
- Shakespeare/Early Modern Drama Video Collection
- TCG Books Play Collection
- Global Plays Collection 1 & 2
- Currency Press Collection
- Hollow Crown Series 1 & 2 Collection
- Stratford Festival Shakespeare Collection
- Theatre Performance and Practice Video Library
- The Arden Shakespeare Play Collection: Text and Language
- Musical Theatre Studies
Download the Drama Online Library catalogue for more information about each collection.
Download 'Bringing drama to life: how video helps transform teaching of English literature, drama and theatre studies' an interview with Margaret Bartley, Global Editorial Director at Bloomsbury Publishing
Request a 14-day free trial and explore the complete Drama Online Library to see which of the collections would best support your curricula needs.
Having access to plays rather than movie version of the text that we study is so incredibly valuable.
Kylie Robinson, Teacher of English, Horbury Academy, UK
This resource is tagged with: UK International Baccalaureate Cambridge International Advanced Placement Drama, Film, Music & the Arts English Literature Foreign Languages History & Classics Sciences, Health & Sports Science K-12 / All through Secondary / High School