The Alexander-Rideout Collection consists of material relating to Sir George Alexander and St. James's Theatre assembled by Alexander's distant relative, Nigel Rideout. The British actor-manager Sir George Alexander (1858-1918) was born Alexander George Samson in Reading, England. He began acting in amateur theatricals in 1875, and four years later embarked on a professional acting career, making his London debut in 1881. He played many roles in the leading companies, including Sir Henry Irving's Lyceum. In 1890 he produced his first play at the Avenue Theatre and in 1891 he became the manager of St. James's Theatre. Here he produced several of the major plays of the day such as Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde (1892), The Second Mrs. Tanqueray by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1893), The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde (1895), and The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope (1896).

The Charles Kean Papers are comprised of one box containing twenty folders of correspondence, newspaper articles, and ephemera. Correspondents include Charles and Ellen (Tree) Kean, and members of the London theatrical world, in addition to a long series between the Keans and George William Lovell concerns the writing of The Wife's Secret, one of their most popular plays.

The collection consists of correspondence between Clement William Scott and the theatrical and journalistic people with whom he worked (a full list is to be found at the end of this register), printed and manuscript verse by Clement Scott and by other authors, clippings, notes, photographs and memorabilia.

The Corney Grain Archive provides an insight into the talents of Richard Corney Grain and the esteem with which he was held among his theatrical contemporaries. The archive includes personal memorabilia including his correspondence, along with photographs, periodical art and reviews, books written by or about Grain, sheet music of his songs, and programs from his German Reed entertainments, most of which include synopses and song lyrics.

The Dame Irene Vanbrugh Papers are comprised of one box containing letters written to Irene Vanbrugh, sketches and drawings for costumes.

The collection contains correspondence from theatrical people requesting George Spencer Edwards to publish personal news items concerning their activities in future columns of the Referee. Portraits of Lady Helena Saville (Faucit) Martin and J. B. Buckstone, theatrical newsclippings and autograph signatures from fragmented letters are included in the collection.

The collection includes approximately forty letters written by Henry Arthur Jones to others involved in the theatre, such as actor-manager George Alexander (1 letter), dramatist William Leonard Courtney (5), playwright Harrison Grey Fiske (1), actress Elizabeth Robins (1), playwright Augustus Thomas (3), dramatic critic Arthur Bingham Walkley (1), critic and playwright Malcolm Watson (1), and dramatist Freeman Wills (1). Also found in the collection is the typescript of "Cock o' the Walk," a five-act play by Jones, the manuscript of an article by Jones on motion pictures and a biographical study of Henry Irving.

The John Highfield Leigh Papers are comprised of one box consisting of letters written to J.H. Leigh and to his wife Thyrza Norman Leigh, from members of the London theatrical world, concerning casting of parts, offering congratulations on the productions, asking for seats and discussing business matters.

The collection consists of correspondence from Frederick Thomas Dubois to Edward Yeats Lowne with copies of relevant correspondence made by Dubois' clerk. There are also summaries of the distribution. of the estate, and legal opinions on certain points relevant to the estate.

The collection consists of correspondence, manuscript notes, manuscript parts as played by Toole, programs of amateur productions in which he appeared, broadsides and handbills, memorabilia, photographs and newspaper clippings.