Wigan Little Theatre

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] In 2016, Wigan Little Theatre donated its archives to Wigan Archives & Local Studies, which include digital copies of historical programmes, photographs and memorabilia.^[4] An appeal to refurbish the theatre was launched in 2024 with a fundraising target of £30,000.^[2]

• Hunt, Ron (2021). "The History & Memories of Wigan Little Theatre". Wigan Local History & Heritage Society – via YouTube.