The Theatre Museum, Russell Street

Downstairs, past walls covered with the palm prints and autographs of theatrical celebrities, are changing exhibitions and displays of British theatre history, from Shakespearean times to the present day. Make-up demonstrations are a particularly popular attraction, especially for children. The Paintings Gallery is an attractive performance and display area where lectures, recitals, book launches and society meetings are held. The studio theatre was once used for theatre performances, but nowadays it tends to be the provider of interactive workshops (as on theatre costume down the ages). It was the setting for the inaugural meeting of the Irving Society, a new group formed to promote interest in, and knowledge of the life and work of, the greatest Victorian actor-manager, Sir Henry Irving (see Lyceum Theatre).

Scholars have access to the Theatre Museum's superb archive collection of memorabilia and information on past and present actors and productions. This takes the form of press cuttings, books, play scripts, memoirs, photographs and programmes, but has moved with the times in that there is now a video collection as well. The principle behind this innovative idea is that although theatre, by its very nature depends on live performance and the interaction between audience and actors, video recordings of live productions do at least give future generations an opportunity to see actors in action - even if that is, by necessity, a poor shadow of actually being there in the stalls!

Leaving the Theatre Museum, and emerging again into the daylight, turn right and cross the road. Immediately ahead is a huge sign, at the comer of a vast theatre, advertising Miss Saigon. This is the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Next: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.