The Theatre of Small Convenience

The Theatre of Small Convenience was a theatre in Malvern, Worcestershire, England. In 2002 it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's smallest commercial theatre, seating up to 12 people.[1] It is less than half the size of the previous record holder, the Piccolo Theatre in Hamburg, Germany.[2][3] The theatre looked like it might close on 25 February 2017 when Dennis Neale retired from the theatre. Warwickshire College Group is currently the tenant of the theatre building (April 2018) and a future programme of events is currently under consideration. The theatre is featured in a recent publication entitled Twenty Theatres You Should See Before You Die by Amber Massie-Blomfield.[4]

The stage during a puppet show

The Theatre of Small Convenience
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The Theatre of Small Convenience
AddressEdith Walk
Malvern, Worcestershire
United Kingdom
Coordinates52.11194°N 2.32972°W / 52.11194; -2.32972
OwnerMalvern Hills District Council
DesignationWorld's smallest commercial theatre
Typespecialist, puppetry. exhibition space
Capacity12
Construction
OpenedNovember 1999 (1999-11)
Rebuilt=
Years active18
Tenants
Warwickshire College Group
Website
www.wctheatre.co.uk

The theatre was located in Edith Walk, Great Malvern. Local puppeteer Dennis Neale started work on the theatre in 1997,[2] opening for the first show in November 1999.[5] The theatre's name comes from the building's original purpose – it was converted from a derelict Victorian gentlemen's public convenience. It is trapezoidal in shape, 16 feet (4.9 m) long and from 6 feet (1.8 m) to 10 feet (3.0 m) wide.[2]

The theatre used to regularly host puppetry, professional and amateur actors, drama, poetry, storytelling and opera, and became a regular venue of the Malvern Fringe Festival. In 2005 the theatre was chosen as one of the venues for an international puppetry festival.[6]

Productions
  • Quackery Codswollop (2002)[7]
  • Quing (2004)[8]
  • The Tale of the Snowcake Man (2004)[9]
  • Tempuss Tantrum (2006)[10]

See also

References
  1. Young, Mark C., ed. (28 September 2001). Guinness Book of World Records 2002. Guinness Publishing. p. 196. ISBN 0-85112-124-1.
  2. Smith, Richard (15 March 1997). "Loo becomes a theatre of convenience". The Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  3. Young, Mark C., ed. (November 1996). Guinness Book of World Records 1997. Guinness Publishing. p. 146. ISBN 0-9652383-0-X.
  4. Malvern Gazette Guests invited to farewell party at Theatre of Small Convenience in Malvern (23 February 2017)
  5. Neale, Dennis (22 July 2009). "The Theatre of Small Convenience". The Theatre of Small Convenience. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  6. "Theatre's key role in international festival". Droitwich Spa Advertiser. Newsquest Media Group. 13 May 2005. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  7. "Quackery Codswallop Review: Theatre of Small Convenience, Malvern". Malvern Gazette. Newsquest Media Group. 6 September 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  8. "No small convenience". Malvern Gazette. Newsquest Media Group. 9 September 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  9. "Theatre enjoys big hit with a sweet fairytale". Malvern Gazette. Newsquest Media Group. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  10. "A convenient way to spend some time". Malvern Gazette. Newsquest Media Group. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
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