New Earth Theatre has announced the launch of The Living Archive, the UK’s first public archive dedicated to British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) theatre.
This free exhibition opens on Friday 26 September and runs until 11 October 2025 at Shoreditch Town Hall. It offers an immersive journey through 30 years of BESEA creative heritage, spotlighting the work and legacy of New Earth Theatre.
The Living Archive features a rich mix of photographs, scripts, programmes, oral history excerpts and new writing. It showcases how BESEA artists have challenged stereotypes and reshaped the UK theatre landscape.
Project Managers Dr Caleb Lee and Diana Feng said, “This exhibition is not simply a record of the past thirty years – it is a living conversation between generations. It carries with it the labour, imagination, and care of artists who paved the way, while also offering inspiration for those who will carry the work forward. Through this collection of voices, memories, and artefacts, we can trace how our community has taken root, how it has flourished, and how it continues to chart new routes into the future.”
Executive Director Lian Wilkinson added, “The fragility of the New Earth Theatre archive permeated much of our thinking last year: our final founder member Kumiko Mendl stepped down from the role of Artistic Director; we moved to a new office and transported boxes upon boxes of archival material with us; all while we looked toward our 30th anniversary and how we could best celebrate this milestone. Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are excited that making our archive accessible for the first time not only preserves New Earth’s history, but also the legacy of BESEA artists and communities who have all contributed to shaping British theatre.”
The exhibition is part of New Earth Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season, which also includes the inaugural Twisted Roots Festival and a symposium titled Beyond Representation: New Earth, New Strategies.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
