The Little Theatre’s Big Transformation

Money from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) has done wonders to renovate much of Colne’s Heritage Quarter – with the Little Theatre no exception. The Theatre is no stranger to transformation, being converted from an old stable block in 1939 to the warm, welcoming, cosy venue it is today. Now, thanks to the LUF, it’s also kitted out with a new green room, foyer, courtyard, garden, kitchen, bar area, additional bathrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

“The night we found out we might be eligible for the LUF, I didn’t go to bed,” recalls John with a laugh. “I sat there doodling drawings, getting together a rough plan of what we wanted, and writing a 4-page summary of why we needed some upgrades. To our delight, the bid was approved, and whilst COVID put things on ice for a while, and whilst we’ve had some bumps along the way, we finally completed it earlier this year. Audiences are really loving the changes so far!”

“This new space is like a new, fabulous extra venue,” adds Sue. “Normally, during intervals, people would be confined to their auditorium seats – there was nowhere else for them to go! But now, there’s a buzz about the place: people are walking around in the foyer, out in the courtyard and garden, all chatting to each other. It just gives the place a fantastic atmosphere that we didn’t have before.”

As well as growing in size, the refurbishment has also enabled the Little Theatre to expand its social calendar. “There’s lots of exciting new events coming up,” Tess explains. “We can now accommodate things like quiz and open mic nights, as well as our usual performances. A lot of our upcoming events—like the Autumn Fair—aim to include children, too. The new space means we can welcome the whole family rather than just our typically adult audience.”

“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far – right from the beginning. We couldn’t do what we do without this community.”

“Plus,” adds Sue, “people still hire the theatre from outside spaces. It’s fantastic that we have a few performances booked in from other theatres – it means the whole community is using and wants to use our space.”

This sense of community is vital for venues like the Little Theatre to continue to thrive. “We’re not making a lot of money, really,” John explains, “so we’re immensely thankful for the public’s generous donations, and, of course, the Government’s LUF Fund – which was initially brought to our attention by a local councillor. It really seems like all the town wants to see us thrive – and we cannot thank everybody enough for their support, their donations, and their continued interest in us.”

“And there are still ways to support us – either financially or with donations,” adds Tess. “We’re very low on funds at the moment due to all the building work and are currently in need of money to fix our roof. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far – right from the beginning. We couldn’t do what we do without this community.”

The community also helps to preserve the theatre internally, too. Not only does the Little Theatre work closely with other theatres – liaising with different wardrobe and prop departments, for instance – but the theatre’s committee itself is built out of a small, passionate core of local people. “There’s only really a few of us fully involved!” John laughs. “Eight on the committee in total. Often, people seem reluctant to get involved – they don’t want to be on committees or things like that, but without those, nothing survives! We want some new blood, and we’re hoping that our new bar and a wider variety of events can hopefully attract some new members. For the longest time, I’ve been one of the younger ones helping out – and I’m 72!”

“An audience member got so drawn into the play that they began to talk back to the actors…”

John first got involved with the Colne Dramatic Society at age 14, when a director saw him at a Sunday School concert and realised he would be perfect for a part in an upcoming play. “And that’s been me ever since!” he laughs. “I’ve painted scenery, I’ve swept the floors, acted, directed – you name it! This really is a second home to me.” He fondly recalls a time when, starring in a production of Spring and Port Wine, an audience member got so drawn into the play that they began to talk back to the actors. “The old man in the play had to give me a wallop that knocked me right to the floor,” he recounts, “and a lady on the front row got up and shouted that he was a bully and that he should leave me alone! That’s one of the advantages of having such an intimate setting, the audience really get quite drawn into the action!”

 

Tess got involved with the Little Theatre through her Outcry Theatre Company, working her way up to committee chair, whilst it was one of John’s plays – Steaming, performed just before the pandemic – that brought Sue on board. “That play is really close to my heart,” Sue smiles, “it was so funny, so well received, with fantastic sets from John, and, of course, it was the first thing I was in. It gave me the confidence to carry on.”

Despite all its changes, the Little Theatre remains the quaint, cosy, incredibly friendly corner of Colne’s Heritage Quatre that it always has been. The team is particularly eager to remind audiences that the theatre’s beloved complimentary tea and biscuits tradition will not be going away anytime soon.

“It’s beyond our wildest dreams that we have this now,” John concludes. “I think somebody has been smiling down on us to make it all happen. We’re so grateful, and feel we have a duty to get it opened up, get it used, and pay back to our community.”

Tess, Sue, and John’s passion for the performing arts, excitement for the Theatre’s future, and, most of all, gratitude for their community’s endless support really does shine through in everything they say. It’s clear that their hard work, as well as the generous assistance from the government and the public alike, has more than paid off. The venue not only looks stunning but seems to have an exciting road ahead, especially with the Colne Dramatic Society’s 100th Anniversary around the corner in 2026. This Little Theatre clearly has big plans for the future.

NorthernLife Sep/Oct/Nov 24