The Department of Theatre offers supervisory expertise in a wide range of subject areas, including early modern theatre and performance practices, 19th and 20th-century theatre and performance, contemporary British theatre, adaptation and translation of theatre and performance, contemporary performance practices, performance archives, dance histories and practices, the role of the body in performance, philosophy and performance.

The department has particular strengths in historical research and practice-as-research. We offer the opportunity for practice-based projects as well as projects based in the archives of the Theatre Collection, an accredited museum and archive service housed in the department. The Theatre Collection is the second-largest theatre archive collection in the UK with particular strengths in theatre in the South West; 19th-century theatre; post-Second World War theatre; live and performance art; scenery and costume design; and theatrical or related artwork.

Should research proposals span various disciplines, a supervisory team will be assembled across departments and faculties to meet the needs of the project. Alongside faculty training opportunities, all first-year research students benefit from departmental training seminars covering critical and professional issues.