Need-To-Know Websites For Freshers, Part 2: English and Theatre Resources

Welcome to the second part of my list of need-to-know websites that I’d never heard of before university! If you haven’t caught the first part, which gives information applicable to every discipline, check it out at the bottom of this post.

This blog shares resources that I’ve discovered that are particularly relevant to English, Theatre, and English and Theatre degrees, or people interested in exploring those disciplines outside of their studies. All of these websites are free to access for enrolled Warwick students at the time of writing, and some you can even access before you arrive at university!

Drama Online

I’m not sure I’ve gone two days at university without needing to visit Drama Online! Nearly all of the modules I’ve taken during the last two years have required me to read a play every week, if not two, and this website helps me do just that. Drama Online is a website housing thousands of scripts, with access granted by your university login. Although I hadn’t read much online before university, I find doing my reading online much easier than borrowing physical texts from the Library. Not only does Drama Online have a wider range of texts that you can access anytime, anywhere, but you can use CTRL+F to quickly find the quotes you need!

Box of Broadcasts

This is Warwick’s best-kept secret – EVERY student needs to hear about this. Enrolling at the university gives you access to many new websites, but the best of the bunch has to be Box of Broadcasts. This site houses thousands of television and radio shows that have been recorded and put online. This is a great academic resource when you want to research particular performances, movies, films, or find a niche radio play only ever broadcast once. But the best part might be that you can use it as a free mini-Netflix in your downtime. I’m not going to say no to a free Grease viewing party!

Digital Theatre Plus

Ever find yourself needing to find a professional recording of a particular play, or wanting to watch one just for fun? Digital Theatre Plus is the place to go! This website has loads of high-quality recordings of professional theatre for you to play, pause, rewind and analyse. My particular favourite is Catherine Tate and David Tennant’s Much Ado About Nothing! In addition to this wealth of performances, the website also contains interviews with practitioners and academics, which can be a great help for your essays.

Warwick Drama Opportunities Group (on Facebook)

It came as a surprise to me that Facebook would be my most useful resource at university! Nearly every society has a Facebook page, where you can find all the information and updates you desire. However, the most useful page for anyone looking to participate in the brilliant beast that is ‘Warwick Drama’, this Facebook group is the place to go. Pretty much every opportunity is shared to this group – be it for budding actors, directors, producers, writers, designers, or crew. This is a brilliant place where all societies (and some non-societies) come together, allowing you to find opportunities you might not have heard about otherwise.

PASS THE BOOK (on Facebook)

Another key Facebook group to enhance your academic experience! If I can’t find my reading on Drama Online or in the Library, I turn to LitSoc’s book sale group. This is a page for all years to buy and sell their books from English (and English-related) courses. Prices are decided by the student selling the text, and exchanges are normally arranged on campus (but most people are happy to post if needed). Buying pre-owned books is not only sustainable, but often significantly cheaper than buying your texts new! 

Got any questions about English or Theatre studies? Drop me a message or leave me a comment! Here’s the link to the original post:

Need-To-Know Websites For Freshers, Part 1: The Basics