Tiny theatre in former toilet prepares to reopen

Volunteer Loz Samuels said they were open to any ideas at the theatre and even had an enquiry about a wedding from a couple in New Zealand

A reopening date has been revealed for a theatre that was once recognised as the smallest in the world, after a refurbishment by volunteers.

The Theatre of Small Convenience in Malvern, Worcestershire, has enough room for 12 audience members and has been closed since 2017 when its owner retired.

It was taken on by the local art college, then fell into disrepair during the Covid lockdowns, but after being brought back to life over the summer, volunteer Loz Samuels said it would be ready to open on 24 October.

She said spaces like it were important, adding: "The world's a little crazy now and a lot of people spend time on screens."

Ms Samuels said: "There's actual scientific evidence that when you feel a sense of wonder your brain changes in a really positive way and I think we need a bit more of that in our lives."

She said the original chairs had returned and been reupholstered and painted, and they were painting a mural on the ceiling and walls of the constellation of Orion.

"We're working towards getting a really professional lighting system," she said, "so we're really getting into the detail now."

The venue has space for 12 seats and a small stage

The building was a former Victorian toilet block but has been transformed through a fundraising campaign yielding £17,000 in donations.

The venue was officially named the world's smallest commercial theatre by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002.

Ms Samuels said they did not have funding to put on shows and were fundraising for that, but also knew some "generous people who had connections across the area who have offered to come and just do it for the door".

"So we're hoping that people will be generous when they come."

They have plans for a puppet show and comedy show along with a ghost walk and a seance when it opened - a "real mixed bag".

She said they were open to anything and had even had an enquiry for a wedding from a couple in New Zealand.