From The Gioconda Smile by Aldous Huxley at Scunthorpe Youth Centre in 1950 to Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh at The Plowright Theatre in 2024, the Little Theatre Club has presented a wide range of productions, rehearsing at numerous headquarters over the decades.
The club’s first base was at Bartle’s old printing works. In 1964, it moved to the old library on High Street East, where it shared space with The Hospital Players, who were located on the first floor. During this period, one of the club’s most popular productions, Oh What a Lovely War, was directed by Winnie Brown. This production was inclusive, featuring catchy songs, cameo roles, and a strong anti-war message. It was also during this era that Bryan Stubbs directed the club’s first pantomime, and George Hankinson led the first of his Shakespeare productions, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.=
Twelve years later, with the building falling into disrepair, the club relocated to the Scout Hut off Grange Lane South. It was there that Toad of Toad Hall and Not Now Darling were prepared for the stage. In 1985, the club moved again—this time to Charter Hall, situated just behind the Civic Theatre (as it was then known). This venue is often remembered as the club’s finest headquarters. Here, the club met the technical challenges of staging Michael Frayn’s Noises Off with considerable success.
By 2001, despite a strong case for retaining Charter Hall, the building was taken over to allow for expansion of the neighbouring police station. The club then moved into a large storage room behind the theatre, which it named The Cast House. Though rather basic, many members appreciated its sense of adventure—despite modest amenities, it did have central heating and a toilet. Shortly after the move, the club collaborated with The Hospital Players on a production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, directed by professional director Rupert Creed.
Subsequently, the club moved to rooms above Hill’s Builders in Parkinson Avenue, though space was limited. Later, it relocated to the former Co-op Guild Room on Laneham Street, where it enjoyed the most spacious headquarters to date. Standout productions during this period included Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit and Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, as well as the continued success of the club’s annual pantomime, which still regularly plays to near-capacity audiences.
Hugh Humphrey