Wigan Little Theatre
 Entrance to Wigan Little Theatre | |
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| Address | Crompton Street, Wigan Wigan UK |
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| Coordinates | 53°32′50″N 2°37′38″W / 53.5472°N 2.6271°W |
| Capacity | 230 |
| Opened | 1947 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Wigan Little Theatre is a community theatre in Wigan, England. It is a charitable, voluntary organisation[1] that was founded in 1943. It offers a diverse range of theatrical productions, from plays, pantomimes and contemporary works, and provides opportunities for local talent to participate in acting and stagecraft. The theatre also runs a youth program. It is situated on Crompton Street in Wigan, a venue it moved into in 1947. It holds the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service the highest award given to voluntary groups in the UK. In 2019, it hosted a visit from the then Prince of Wales, now Charles III.[2]
History
[edit]Wigan Little Theatre was founded in 1943 when a small group of theatre enthusiasts established a drama society at 56a Market Street. They performed three plays annually in a local church hall until the end of World War II. After the war, the group sought a permanent venue and found a derelict cinema, the Alliance Picture House, on Crompton Street. Originally built in 1893 as a Salvation Army citadel, the building was transformed by volunteer labour due to post-war construction restrictions. Volunteers reworked the building, creating a foyer, dressing rooms, a wardrobe department, and extending the stage to increase seating to 250.[3]
The theatre opened in 1948 with She Stoops to Conquer and now stages up to nine productions per season.[3] Sir Ian McKellen saw his first Shakespeare production at the theatre in the 1950s an experience that helped shape his career.[2] Over the years, it has undergone multiple renovations, including lighting and sound upgrades, a new workshop and bar in the 1970s, and a major refurbishment in the 1980s. Rehearsal spaces were added in the 2000s.[3] An appeal to refurbish the theatre was launched in 2024 with a fundraising target of £30,000.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Charity number: 251806". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ a b c Graham, Charles (15 October 2024). "Raise the roof: Wigan Little Theatre restoration appeal launched".
- ^ a b c George Richmond (2012). "The Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan, Lancashire". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk.
External links
[edit]- Hunt, Ron (2021). "The History & Memories of Wigan Little Theatre". Wigan Local History & Heritage Society – via YouTube.
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