Future secured for theatre based in former toilet

Jan Birtle has been praised by former theatre owner Dennis Neale (left) and local councillor John Gallagher (right)

The new owner of what is thought to be the world's smallest theatre has said she wants to bring "a bit of spark and fizz" to the venue - which is based in a former public toilet.

The Theatre of Small Convenience in Malvern, Worcestershire, was bought by a small group set up by Jan Birtle, a retired senior doctor.

She said she wanted to use the site to attract people who would not normally go to the theatre.

She said she was having "a lot of fun" and hoped to reopen the venue to the public next year.

The former public toilet only has space for 12 seats and a small stage

The tiny Victorian building only has space for 12 seats and a small stage and closed in 2017 when its original owner Dennis Neale retired.

He was full of praise for Dr Birtle and the Community Interest Company she set up to run the theatre, saying: "They're creative and intelligent, that's what we need."

With the help of two other volunteers, Dr Birtle plans to stage puppet shows, spoken word performances and possibly virtual reality plays.

She said people were finding going to the theatre "really expensive" and she wanted to create an alternative for them and for those who feel uncomfortable in large venues.

"Some theatres can be quite intimidating, particularly for some people that don't like big spaces and don't like too much noise, or too many people around," she said.

The theatre gained a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002 as the world's smallest commercial theatre.

It is just 5m (16ft) long and 3m (10ft) wide and Dr Birtle describes it as "absolutely gorgeous".

The former psychiatrist said she believed the premises allowed a unique connection with the audience, adding: "You're really face to face with them and that's just fantastic. I think you get that intimacy."

She said the paperwork involved in taking over the building had been a challenge and her team was still working to secure grants.

Dr Birtle explained that making money would be difficult with such a small audience, but she said the cost of maintaining and staffing the theatre was likely to be low.

John Gallagher, the Malvern Hills district councillor who led a 10-month search to get the theatre reopened, said: "It's an achievement isn't it? If we can bring this back to life, what a difference that will make for the community."

He added: "If anybody's going to make a success of it, this team will make a success of it."