Tributes paid to founder of world's smallest theatre in Malvern
Vigils have been taking place at the Theatre of Small Convenience for Dennis Neale who passed away last month
The founder of the world's smallest theatre in Malvern has been being remembered at the place he created nearly 30 years ago after he passed away last month.
Vigils have been held in the last week at the Theatre of Small Convenience for Dennis Neale, who took over the space which used to be an old Victorian toilet in 1997 and opened it to the public two years later.
It shut in 2017 when Mr Neale retired, but a group was eventually formed with the aim to restore the building and bring it back into use by setting up a community interest company (CIC) and using the funds created to carry out the necessary works.
They started renovating last January with doors opening again in October, creative director Loz Samuels said it has meant a lot seeing the amount of people come to pay their respects to Dennis and share their memories of him and the place.
"Some people remember it as a toilet and watched it grow from nothing into what it ended up being," she said.
"Some people volunteered in the past and they spent quite a bit of time sitting and remembering Dennis, telling stories, it was really lovely."
The world's smallest theatre
In 2002, the theatre was officially recognised in the book of Guinness World Records as the world's 'smallest commercial theatre', with it covering just 10.14 square metres (109.1 ft²) and having enough space to seat 12.
Before his passing, Dennis was also given a lifetime achievement award by Malvern District Council to honour his work and the "positive impact" he has had on the community.
"I think it's really important to keep his memory alive and to keep it running in the spirit of Dennis," Samuels said.
"He was a real sort of magical person, he had a real wry sense of humour and he did everything his own way.
"He was a real eccentric, like a comedic genius really, he used to make beautiful things and he was quite a special person and very humble."
A green plaque which recognises the theatre's Guinness World Record and its founder Mr Neale was put up outside the building last year to honour its achievement.