A MALVERN man has proved all the world's a stage - even when the audience is sitting in an old Victorian public toilet.

Seven years ago, Dennis Neale, aged 59, bought a gents lavatory and converted it into a tiny theatre complete with stage, lighting and seating for 12 theatregoers.

This Christmas, he has held a one-man puppetry show called A Tale From The Snowcake Man in the wedge-shaped playhouse which measures just 16ft by 9ft by 6ft (4.8m by 2.7m by 1.8m). In keeping with the venue, the show was just five minutes long.

The transformation of the 100-year-old building cost just £4,000 but, since it opened the Theatre Of Small Convenience has played host to professional and amateur actors with drama, poetry, story-telling and even opera. Ironically though, there is no room for a loo so the theatre's visitors have to use the public ones across the road.

Mr Neale said: "I know people focus on the size of the theatre but what we do is serious. We put on great shows and have a great local fan base."