This theatre in Malvern makes even the most cramped venues look like Wembley Stadium by comparison

The Theatre of Convenience – a former gents’ toilets – is only big enough for 12 people and has a tiny 1.5-metre stage.

It opened in Malvern in 1997 and was officially named the world’s smallest commercial theatre by Guinness Book of World Records in 2002. 

Original owner Dennis Neale showcased comedy productions and performed his own puppet shows in the theatre for two decades.

The tiny theatre measures just 5.23 meters long and 2.8 meters wide at its widest point.

After he retired in 2017 it passed into the hands of a college drama department but a fire caused extensive smoke damage.

The building fell into a state of disrepair but it is now set to enjoy an encore after a group of theatre fans took it over.

Friends Loz Samuels, Dibah Farooqui and Dr Jan Birtle are in the process of taking ownership of the theatre full time.

Malvern Hills District Council has agreed to pass the theatre to the trio through a council asset transfer.

The group are hoping to raise £25,000 to carry out urgent repairs to the building including fixing the leaking roof and completely rewiring the electrics.

Ms Samuels, creative director for an arts charity, said: “I had visited the theatre in 2004, I thought it was amazing and a completely magical space. 

“The show that I saw was this funny, Pythonesque. It was unbelievable.

“I hadn’t really seen things like this before. The nearest thing I'd see is more pop-up theatres in Europe."

The group hope to restore the theatre to its former glory and create a hub for local artists and up-and-coming performers to use.

If funding is secured to carry out the repairs, the theatre could open its doors to the public next June.

Loz added: “We want to keep it as a quirky venue. We envision it as a hub that people know.

“We are determined to give this world record-breaking theatre the encore it deserves. It’s an exciting challenge for such a unique venue.”