The culturally inclined are always looking for chances to catch a play or a musical while they are on vacation. Many cities have a dizzying array of theatre options to choose from. But we have hunted out something quite special. From a solar-powered mobile theatre venue to miniature opera venues, and a space that is aptly named after Tom Thumb, these are some of the tiniest theatre spaces in the world.
Their website claims they are the UK's 'Smallest Theatre, Smallest Cinema and the World's Smallest Magic Theatre'. The converted one-up-one-down Victorian shop has seen many avatars. It's been a florist, a bookshop, a tobacconist and even a printer's workshop. The auditorium seats about 25 and hosts plays, magic shows, comedy and classic films. You can stock up on drinks in the bar upstairs, and even sign up for magic lessons here.
Located in Monte Castello di Vibio in Umbria, Italy, this one is like a detailed miniature of a classic Italian theatre (bell shape, with a narrow hall opening to a proscenium and stage). It has all of 99 seats, including boxes and stalls, spread across 730 sq ft. The stage is just 540 sq ft. Local Umbrian families keen to support culture built this treasure in the 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars invasion. It was opened in 1808. The frescoes inside were done by Italian painter Luigi Agretti in 1892.
This one is a venue on wheels, created in 1971 to fit in the sidecar of a motorcycle owned by actor Marcel Steiner. It is actually named as The Smallest Theatre in the World, and has been on theatre tours across the world. After Steiner's death in 1999, it was taken over and restored by The Grand Theatre of Lemmings. The theatre has been airshipped to India, for a performance at an orphanage in Madurai.
Located in Barlassina (in the province of Monza and Brianza) is the tiny 98-seat opera house Antonio Belloni Theater. Built by local entrepreneur Marco Belloni in his family&rsquos old cabinetry and furniture factory, their website says they are the world&rsquos smallest opera house.
Technically not a theatre space, it was too quaint to ignore. The Hoxton Hotel in WilliamsburgIt probably has the most private place ever to watch a film, with only two seats. Located off the main lobby, it is known for screening old classics.
You wouldn't think of a Welsh slate-mining village as cool, but this is the age of the hipsters and nothing escapes their touch. Located in Blaenau Ffestiniog's back streets is an Edwardian building, CellB has a tiny cinema, bar and hostel. Once a police station and court room, it was renovated and re-opened by a local creative arts project. The hostel rooms were once police cells.
This is a mobile outdoor cinema housed in a vintage caravan, and powered entirely by solar energy. It can accommodate 8 adults comfortably. They rent out the space, so if you have something you want to screen, you can do that. It acts a pop-up cinema venue for schools, cosplay events etc. Audiences get a charming red carpet, usherette services, and popcorn.
This family-run arts venue is located close to the seaside in Margate. It used to be a coach house in Victorian times, and was converted into a theatre in 1984 by actress Sarah Parr-Byrne and her mother. The 51-seater theatre with a 2-by-3 metre stage stands out because of the vibrant colour and the striking mix of Alpine and Japanese architecture. You'll love the shabby-chic Fin Bar upstairs.
