Show 'set to go on' at world's smallest theatre in Malvern
The Theatre of Small Convenience closed back in 2017 when its owner Dennis Neale retired, but eight years later it's set to open up again
Last updated 7th Oct 2025
Eight years since the red velvet curtains were pulled across for the last time, the world's smallest theatre in Malvern, Worcestershire, is set to take to the stage once again and return to the limelight later this month.
The Theatre of Small Convenience, which used to be an old Victorian toilet before its current use, was opened in 1999 on Edith Walk in the town by owner Dennis Neale, two years after he took it over.
After its launch, it was officially recognised by the book of Guinness World Records in 2002 as the world's 'smallest commercial theatre', covering just 10.14 square metres (109.1 ft²).
'Completely unique'
With an auditorium measuring 7.19 m² (77.36 ft²) and a stage at 2.95 m² (31.74 ft²), the theatre itself can only fit 12 people in seated, rising to 16 if standing.
In 2017, Mr Neale retired from his role at the theatre after years of putting on shows, and following its closure it then went onto suffer a fire.
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), using the funds created to carry out the necessary works.
One of its members Loz Samuels says after getting the keys in January this year they've been working hard to make sure it is ready and looking like its former self.
"It's completely unique, there's nothing like it anywhere as far as I know," she said.
"The original curtains got a bit singed and it took about 30 washes to get the smell of soot out but we just re-lined them with satin eventually.
"Then the ceiling and the walls have got the constellation of Orion painted on them, which is how it would have looked roughly at the time."
A set of 'dancing horses' which sit above the stage were also restored following the fire and now stand as a logo for the theatre.
Away from the theatre work, it's also received international attention.
"We literally just had the thought, maybe we could use it as a wedding venue, and literally two weeks later we got an inquiry," Samuels said.
"There's a couple coming from New Zealand to get married who met on the set of the film the Hobbit which is really sweet.
"They've got a relative in Malvern so they wanted to have them included."
Alongside the wedding, it also has plans to be used for a 'variety of events', including things like a grotto over the festive period.
Samuels says Mr Neale - the founder, still visits, and the work they've done is about making sure the place is there for the future so people can still be fascinated by it.
She said: "When you're working in here, people are just desperate to look in, they see the world's smallest theatre outside and they really want to see and they can't believe that this is it.
"I've spent a lot of time with Dennis (the founder) talking to him, I know this place inside out now and he's talked about the history of it in such detail.Â
"We're just looking after it, it'll always remain a theatre and we'll do everything that we can to keep it and the legacy Dennis has created protected."
Its first show is on the 24 October, with other events taking place over the weekend as part of the Great Malvern Festival of Stories for Children.