Collection T26 - Joe Vaněk Archive

8 boxes

The archive of theatre and opera designer Joe Vaněk was deposited at NUI Galway in 2018.. Recognised as one of the most importrant designers in contemporary Irish performance, Vaněk is an award-winning designer that has worked at leading Irish and international theatres and festivals.

Over his career Vaněk has held a number of positions including from 2006 - 2008 he was Design Associate for Wexford Festival Opera; from 1994 - 1997 Vaněk served as Director of Design at the Abbey Theatre Dublin and 1980 - 1984 Vaněk was Head of Design at Watford Palace Theatre. In 2015 Gandon Editions published his book, "Irish Theatrescapes".

The archive relates primarily to Vaněk's work at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, as well as to work at the Abbey Theatre. There are series of records relating to productions designed by Vaněk with independent theatre companies such as Landmark Productions and Corn Exchange Theatre Company.
The archive was acquired directly from Joe Vaněk, with tranches of material deposited in 2018 and in 2019.

Papers of the theatre and opera designer Joe Vaněk. Joe Vaněk has been designing for most of the major theatre, opera and dance companies in Ireland since 1984 and was Director of Design at the Abbey Theatre from 1995-1997, as well as Design Associate for the Wexford Festival Opera from 2006-2008. Vaněk's work is closely associated with the plays of Brian Friel at both the Abbey Theatre and Gate Theatre, with award-winning plays including "Dancing at Lughnasa", "Wonderful Tennessee"," Molly Sweeney" and "Performances". Vaněk has also designed new plays by many of Ireland’s leading writers including John Banville, Sebastian Barry, Marina Carr, Hugo Hamilton, Tom Kilroy, Hugh Leonard, Tom MacIntyre, Frank McGuinness, Tom Murphy and Stewart Parker. Vaněk has also worked closely over many years with directors such as Patrick Mason.

The papers comprise drawings and sketches of costume and scene/set design, notes and research for designs, outsize drawings, photographs, drafts of Vaněk's book "Irish Theatrescapes", correspondence and related records from Vaněk's career.

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(c) James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway

The Joe Vaněk archive include deliagn materials and research materials into design in theatre and opera by Joe Vaněk. The archive contains manuscript costume and det drawings and sketches, outline plans, photographs of items used for props and costume, research photographs used in the design process, design notebooks, email and letter correspondence, fabric samples, general research materials, as well as drafts and prints of "Irish Theatrescapes" written by Joe Vaněk.

Gate Theatre Digital Archive

Abbey Theatre Digtal Archive
Catalog

16/01/2018
23/07/2025